THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI 


ST.   FRANCIS 

OF    ASSISI 

A   PLAY    IN    FIVE   ACTS 
BY    J.    A.    PELADAN 

TRANSLATED  AND  ADAPTED  BY 

HAROLD  JOHN  MASSINGHAM 


LONDON:   DUCKWORTH  AND   CO. 

NEW  YORK  :  CHARLES  SCRIBNER'S  SONS 


Published  1913 


Printed  by 

balla.ntyne  &  company  ltd 

London 


Brethren 


CHARACTERS 

Francis  Bernadone 
Bernard 

EOIDIUS 

Peter 

Sylvester 

Leo 

Angelo 

Elias 

Juniper 

Lady  Clare 

Cecilia  \ 

E  jiilia  ,.. 

GIOVANNA  |       *ldtrs 

Monica  J 

Giovanni  della  Renna 

Valentine 

Rufus 

Gentile  op  Campilio 

Bernadone,  Francis'  Father 
COUNT  Fayorino,  Clan's  Father 

Bishop  Guido 

Count  Ugolino,  Cardinal-hishop 

Count  of  Gubbio 

Governor 

Bishop 

Doctor 

Dominican 

Citizen 

Man  of  Assist 

Man  of  Peru*. i a 

Beg  car-Girl 

Beggar 

Lords,  Muses,  Children,  Retainers,  Musicians,  Payes, 
Acolytes,  Crowd  and  Urchins,  <Lc. 


■ 


2082618 


ACT  I 

THE  TROUBADOUR 

[The  terrace  of  the  castle  of  Sasso  and  Rosso  on  the 
skirts  of  Assisi.  Mount  Suharto  in  the  hack- 
ground  ;  the  street  on  the  left,  down  the  stage  ;  a 
bower  in  the  middle.) 

(Bernard,  in  the  guise  of  Mercury,  is  engaged  in 
hanging  golden  apples  on  a  tree;  Cecilia, 
Giovanna,  and  Monica  disgidsed  as  Euphrosyne, 
Aglaia  and  Thalia;  Clare  as  Spring ;  Emilia 
as  Flora  is  being  pursued  by  Egldius  as  a 
Zephyr.) 

Emilia.  [Out  of  breath.]  Let  me  go. 

Egidius.  [Catching  her.]  Zephyr  am  I,  sweet 
Flora,  god  of  the  wind-breath  ! 

Emilia.  [Shielding  herself]  Too  close  you  breathe 
upon  me  ! 

Clare.  [Interposing.]  A  truce  to  these  rogueries ! 

Bernard.  I  have  hung  the  apples  of  gold  on  every 
branch.  There  is  but  one  remaining,  0  Graces ! 
Who  will  be  Atalanta  ? 

Clare.  Tarry  no  more  for  Francis.  .  .  .  There 
is  our  allegory  to  rehearse.  ...  I  am  the  Lady 
Spring. 

7 


8  ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI         act  i 

Bernard.  You  are  enchanting ! 

Egidius.  Meet  for  adoration  ! 

Clare.  [To  both.]  Why  cozen  me  thus?  One 
service  and  one  only  will  I  admit.  You  know  it 
well. 

Egidius.  0  fortunate  Francis ! 

Bernard.  Through  me  Assisi  tenders  you  the  prize, 
the  guerdon  of  Venus. 

Clare.  Bestow  it  upon  the  Graces !  Back,  ladies, 
to  your  Flora  !  [Dance  of  the  Graces.]  Frantic  that 
you  are !     Caper  not  like  the  Bassarids. 

Bernard.  Come  to  our  play!  I  am  my  brother 
Apollo.     The  Muses  circle  round  me. 

Clare.  Let  us  apprehend  our  argument:  The 
Marriage  of  the  Muses. 

Giovanna.  And  of  the  Graces ! 

Cecilia.  A  knight,  I  would  have  my  knight ! 

Monica.  And  I,  shall  I  be  unaccompanied  ? 

Egidius.  Why  came  not  Francis,  to  be  master  of 
our  pageantry  ? 

Bernard.  His  father  the  cloth-merchant,  it  would 
seem,  has  held  him  to  the  counter. 

Giovanna.  [To  Bernard.]  But  the  Graces!  Is 
there  no  division  of  parts  between  them  ? 

Bernard.  They  are  one,  in  unity  :  the  mind,  the 
soul  and  the  body. 

Cecilia.  Let  us  cast  lots  ! 

Giovanna.  I  am  the  Mind  ! 

Cecilia.  And  I  the  Soul ! 

Monica.  Give  me  the  Body !  it  has  its  fealty. 

Clare.     Who  shall  be  the  first  to  speak  ? 


act  i         ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI  9 

Bernard.  On  the  threshold  of  this  bower,  will  I 
hail  the  suitors. 

Clare.  Then  let  the  Muses  make  choice  of  their 
spouses. 

Bernard.  Love  is  blind  and  all  eyes  shall  be  bound. 
The  astrologer  will  open  his  arms  to  Terpsichore  ; 
the  judge  to  Erato  ;  the  jjuggler  to  Polymnia.  .  .  . 
'Twill  be  the  drollest  spectacle  and  as  much  logic  as 
life! 

[Enter  the  Nine  Muses.     They  rush  frantic- 
ally in. 

Clare.  See !  They  come,  the  blessed  virgins, 
the  nine  Sisters  of  Parnassus.  .  .  . 

Euterpe.  My  flute? 

Clio.  My  scroll  ? 

Melpomene,  My  dagger  ? 

Erato.  And  my  lyre  ? 

Urania.  My  orb? 

Calliope.  My  tablets  ? 

Thalia.  My  mask  ? 

Terpsichore.  My  timbrels  ? 

Polymnia.  And  I,  I  too  have  nought  ? 

Bernard.  But  the  infinite  ?  Sweet  ladies,  I  have 
brought  you  everything  in  a  casket  with  my  wand  of 
Mercury  and  Francis'  cap  and  bells. 

Clare.  Up  then  !     Fetch  the  casket. 

Bernard.  [To  Egidius.]     Egidius,  come  with  me. 

|  Exit  Bernard  and  Egidius. 

Clare.  Hearken,  my  chucks.  Transform  your- 
selves into  the  likeness  of  little  figures  in  a  fresco. 
Clio,  in   thy  gravity,   let   thy   gaze   encompass   the 


10  ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI         act  i 

vanished  past !  Let  thine,  0  noble  Urania,  cleave  to 
the  vault  of  heaven  !  Do  thou,  Melpomene,  clasp  thy 
hand  in  wrath  upon  thy  dagger ! 

[Enter  Bernard  and  Egidius  carrying  in  the 
Casket. 

Bernard.  Kegard,  0  daughters  of  Apollo,  the 
baubles  of  your  symbolism. 

Egidius.  To  the  monk  his  cowl  and  to  the  Muse  her 
emblem  ! 

Bernard.  Calliope,  receive  your  tablets. 

Egidius.  Thalia,  don  your  mask. 

Bernard.  Terpsichore,  your  timbrels. 

Egidius.  This  scroll  is  yours  once  more,  0  worship- 
ful Clio. 

Bernard.  And  the  lyre  returns  to  Erato. 

Egidius.  The  orb  for  Urania ! 

Melpomene.  My  dagger  ? 

Bernard.  Here,  with  the  flute  for  Euterpe. 

Polymnia.  Is  there  nought  for  me  to  hold  ? 

Egidius.  Naught  save  the  cap  and  bells  of  Francis. 

Clare.  His  sceptre !     It  is  mine,  his  lady's  to  take. 

Bernard.  The  music-players  are  at  hand. 

[Enter  Musicians. 

Clare.  [To  the  musicians.]  Range  yourself  afar  a 
little,  behind  the  bower.  Melody,  wafted,  like  a 
breeze,  from  unseen  instruments,  is  the  more  bewitch- 
ing. Play  you  in  gentle  strains  and  chiefest,  to 
accompany  our  singing. 

[The   musicians  begin    to  play  behind    the 
bower. 

Erato.  In  what  form  shall  we  cluster  ? 


act  i         ST.  FKANCIS  OF  ASSISI  1 1 

Urania.  I,  as  the  symbol  of  Heaven,  take 
precedence. 

Polymnia.  Thought,  I  would  have  you  know,  cap- 
tained astronomy. 

Clio.  But  history,  I  say,  outpaces  you  all. 

Terpsichore.  But  I,  natheless,  being  the  most 
nimble  of  foot,  will  gain  the  day,  for  all  your  striving. 

Calliope.  Forget  not,  my  sisters,  that  I  am  own 
daughter  to  Homer. 

Thalia.  You  and  your  precedences !  Fine  food 
for  merriment  you  are  ! 

Bernard.  Let  us  group  in  two  choruses :  the 
foolish  and  the  wise ! 

Erato.  And  the  foolish  ? 

Egidius.  Will  be  thyself,  Euterpe,  Terpsichore,[and 
Thalia ! 

Euterpe.  The  others,  priestesses  of  Dullness.  .  .  . 

Clare.  Peace  !  you  droning  bees,  while  I  adjust 
the  scene.  The  Graces  to  the  centre,  with  their 
limbs  entwined,  as  it  is  figured  in  the  ancient  marble 
at  Siena.  Sit  thou  here,  Calliope,  and  unfold  thy 
tablets  :  Urania,  lean  thy  orb  upon  thy  knee ;  here, 
let  History  stand,  hard  by  Epic  Poetry,  and  Tragic, 
Inspiration  hold  thyself  close  to  Thought  Austere. 
And  thou,  attune  thy  reed  to  the  song  of  thy  sisters. 
Let  Comedy  be  yoked  to  Dancing.  Right  marvellously 
done !  'Twould  win  the  plaudits  of  a  painter.  List ! 
do  you  hear  the  merry  din  ?  Sweet  maidens,  it  is  the 
coming  of  your  lovers.  My  flowers,  my  flowers, 
where  are  my  flowers  ? 

[Exit  Clare. 


12  ST.   FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI         act  i 

[Enter  Valentine  of  Nami  as  a  knight; 

Giovanni  della  Henna  as   a  juggler ; 

Angelo  as  an  astrologer  ;  Rufus,  Peter, 

dec.     Costumes  of  Gazzoli :    they  come 

in  from  the  street  at  the  back  of  the  stage. 

Bernard.  Wherefore  come  you,  lordly  strangers  ? 

Who  pointed  you  the  road  to  the  enchanted  garden, 

where  our  Lady  Spring  is  Queen  ? 

Valentine.  Love  spake  to  us,  our  puissant  lord  : 
"  How  pass  you  the  hasting  hours,  brave  hearts  ?  I 
come  to  discover  you  a  venture,  deserving  your 
endeavour.  The  Muses,  far-famed  virgins,  till  now 
unyielding  to  my  bondage,  to-day  forsake  Parnassus' 
banks,  by  my  cunning  enkindled  with  the  flame 
of  my  spirit.  To  bend  their  ears  to  mortal  vows,  I 
have  conjured  them.  Away,  blessed  knights  of  my 
triumph."  Thus  the  voice  of  the  god  and  we  are 
come  to  entreat  love's  compassion  of  the  Immortals. 

[Enter  Clare. 
Clare.  [Eer  arms  full  of  flowers.]  Welcome,  in 
the  name  of  Love !  A  radiant  purpose  lures  you 
hither  and  nought  earthly,  nought  unchaste  is  your 
desire,  0  lovers  of  beauty,  0  lovers  of  virtue  !  The 
dragon  ever  watches  by  the  treasure  and  Peril 
ever  rears  its  head  in  the  path  of  happiness.  He, 
the  foolhardy,  who  shall  lift  his  impudent  gaze  upon 
the  daughters  of  Apollo,  unbidden  of  her,  straightway 
is  smitten  with  blindness ;  therefore  shall  your  eyes 
be  bound.  She,  who  with  her  sweet  hand  shall 
restore  your  sight,  will  be  gracious  to  your  vows. 
Mercury,  to  your  task ! 


act  i         ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI  1 8 

[Bernard    blindfolds    the    newcomers    and 

Eqidius  leads  each  one  opposite  a  Muse 

or  a  Grace,   whilst   Clare   delivers  the 

following  verses.     A  symphony  is  played. 

Clare.  The  wise  man  hath  said  :     Love  hath  the 

countenance  of  a  pleasant  heart  and  the  one  without 

the  other  stumbleth  in  the  way.     How  shall  the  soul 

spurn  argument  ?     For  Nature,  the  when  she  lifteth 

herself  to  live,  determineth  Love  for  Sovereign  and 

delivereth  her  heart  unto  the  keeping  thereof.     Even 

so,  the  soul  resteth  and  is  stilled. 

The  wise  woman  standeth  at  the  gates  and  her 
comeliness  hath  moved  the  young  men  ;  so  that  flames 
shoot  from  their  eyes  and  love  stirreth  and  clappeth 
the  wings  of  desire.  Likewise,  the  hearts  of  the 
women  are  awakened,  what  time  a  valiant  one  cometh 
forth  on  the  threshold. 

[All  are  on  their  knees  in  front  of  a  Mtise. 
Each  one  simultaneously  takes  off  the 
bandage.     The  symphony  continues. 
[Enter  Francis,  in  magnificent  and  fantastic 
dress. 
Francis.  A  masque  of  delight !     What  loveliness 
and  fragrance  is  joy,  to  the  beholder  of   it !     This 
bower,  a-shimmer  with  love  and  youth,  is  it  not  a 
vision    of    Paradise  ?      Innocence    is   twin-sister   to 
happiness.    Their  mouths  are  gladdened  with  laughter, 
their  eyes  are  a  sheen  of  pleasure.     Verily  they  are 
joyful,  these   lovers.     My   soul  burgeons   with   the 
happiness   I   look   upon   and  with   the   gladness   of 
others  I  am  uplifted. 


14  ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI  act  i 

Clare.     [Going  up  to  him.]     Francis ! 

Francis.  0  lady,  0  Muse,  0  lover  and  divinity,  I 
greet  you  with  flame  in  my  heart. 

Clare.  Your  shining  robes  already  in  tatters  ? 

Francis.  The  seams  were  tricked  from  collar 
to  hem  with  golden  braid  and  with  ducats  of 
gold. 

Clare.  They  are  stolen  from  you. 

Francis.  Nay. 

Clare.  [J side.]  He  has  given  them  away.  [Aloud.] 
You,  the  master  of  the  pageantry,  why  have  you 
loitered  and  abandoned  me  solitary  among  these 
lovers.     Is  this  a  true  knight's  courtesy  ? 

Francis.  [In  an  ecstasy.]  The  knight-errant  rides 
forth  with  lance  aloft  to  make  straight  the  wrong  and 
maintain  the  right.  The  guardian  angels  walk  by  his 
side.     A  star  gleams  upon  his  helmet. 

Clare.  Your  sceptre,  Francis  ! 

Francis.  [As  before.]  Beloved  motley !  Smiling 
head  and  tinkling  bell  and  heart  beating  for  the  love 
of  it.  Tears  are  idle  and  the  passion  of  love  is 
fugitive.     Folly,  be  thou  my  mistress  ! 

Clare.  Tell  me,  what  look  you  upon  ? 

Francis.  What  can  I  else  but  upon  you,  when  you 
are  nigh,  the  flower  of  beauty,  gentleness  and 
excellence ! 

Clare.  Come,  lead  me  to  the  dance.  They  frisk 
without  us. 

Francis.  Had  I  hardihood  to  vent  my  caprice.  .  . 

Clare.  Would  you  have  songs  ? 

Francis.  Ay,  gladly,  were  it  in  your  renown. 


act  i         ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI  15 

Claire.  [To  all.]  Hold,  dear  friends,  break  off  your 
measure,  our  king  will  sing  to  us. 

[The y  range  themselves  about  him. 

Francis.  Imperishable  ladies,  hardly  may  I  come 

unto  you. 

Clean  are  my  tablets,  Clio,  unworthy  thine  own, 

Thou,  Calliope,  thou  rhymest  none  but  heroes. 

Lo,  the  wonder  of  thy  firmament  affrights  me,  0 

worshipful  Urania. 
Thou  would'st  smile,  Polymnia,  upon  my  homely 

thought, 
My  heart  blenches  and  is  turbulent  within  me 
Quickened  by  the  sombre  notes  of  Melpomene 
And  you,  jocund  sisters,  spurn  my  unworthiness. 
I  am  the  bird  of  the  woods,  carolling  his  lay 
From  branch  to  branch,  all  carolling  his  lady's 

name, 
Imperishable  ladies,  hardly  may  I  come  unto  you. 
Clare.   The    true    Muse   was   ever   Queen.     This 
prelude  delights  me. 

[Enter,  on  the  road  at  the  back,  a  Beggar 
Woman,  ivho  stops  to  look  on. 

Francis.  My  Muse  is  outcast  and  reviled,  albeit, 
holy  virgins,  dedicate  unto  your  service. 

How  runneth  the  record  of  history  ?  It  is  the  monu- 
ment unto  fevered  ambition,  neither  are  the 
heroes  cherished  of  the  bard,  but  frantic  and 
evil-hearted. 

0  tragic  Muse,  thou  art  red  with  blood,  and  tears  gush 
from  thine  eyes,  and  ye,  blithe-hearted  sisters, 


16  ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI         act  i 

light  are  your  lovers,  younglings  and  of  no 
account. 

Ye  laugh,  ye  sing,  ye  dance ;  the  while  the  three  fates, 
sickness,  eld,  and  death,  spin  their  web  everlasting. 

Kejoice,  while  ye  may  and  seal  your  eyes  unto  suffer- 
ing, that  lieth  in  wait,  unceasing,  upon  the  way. 

For  they  that  are  happy  are  children  and  without  heed. 

Folly  is  my  Muse.  She  setteth  her  head  high  among 
her  sisters,  transcendent  lady,  virgin  without  peer. 

The  name  of  my  Muse,  that  is  outcast  and  reviled. 

Clare.  Strange  invocation  ! 

Bernard.  [In  a  whisper.]  Pack  this  beggar-woman 
off.  If  Francis  beholds  her,  there  will  be  a  vexing 
interlude. 

Egidius.  [To  the  Beggar.]  Away  with  thee! 

Francis.  [Who  has  observed  him.]  Stay,  my  child. 
The  spectacle  of  the  wretched  poisons  my  delights. 
In  their  presence  I  am  shameful  and  dare  no  more  be 
glad.  Their  days  that  are  without  bread  and  their 
lives  that  are  without  hope  unseal  the  lids  of  my  re- 
morse, as  it  had  been  I  that  had  stolen  the  lot  in  their 
destiny.  Look  upon  this  maiden,  ragged  and  with 
naked  feet,  [To  Clare]  clothed  like  you,  how  pretty  a 
thing !  Entreat  her  gently  and  gallantly  would  rejoice 
her  as  you.  Why  then  a  beggar  ?  My  soul  is  affrighted 
at  the  wherefore  of  injustice.  "Whence  comes  she, 
Sorrow,  Muse  overcast,  Muse  without  death,  from 
the  heavens  or  from  the  pits  of  hell  ? 

Clare.  Well,  let  her  have  alms  and  go.  Here, 
woman ! 


act  i         ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI  17 

Francis.  [Stopping  her.]  What !  as  a  dog  has  its 
bone.     She  too  has  a  soul  ! 

Bernard.  Francis,  you  mar  our  festival.  .  .  . 

Francis.  I  would  see  a  beam  of  joy  lighten  those 
sunken  eyes,  watching  the  fortunate  of  this  life,  ay 
and  wonder,  with  more  reverence  than  envy ! 

Bernard.  I  wager  that  he  will  bring  her  in  to  join 
the  dance. 

Egidius.  Away  with  thee,  thou  gipsy. 

Francis.  Poor  swallow,  an  instant  touching  with 
thy  wings  the  threshold  of  this  mossy  bower,  I  tell 
thee,  stay  ! 

Beggar.  Lord,  I  dare  not. 

Francis.  They  that  spurn  thee  are  not  evil.  They 
are  but  rich  ;  nor  wot  they  of  the  mystic  chain  linking 
sadness  to  delight.  Thy  face  is  swarthy,  but  how 
white  thy  soul  !  These,  here,  their  fingers  are  rosy 
and  their  hearts  are  sullied.  They  laugh  and  sing, 
but  thou  weepest  and  thy  streaming  tears  are  thy 
adornment. 

Peter.  [To  Francis.]  She  can  compass  nothing  of 
thy  fantastic  pity. 

Beggar.  But  well  I  see  that  this  lord  has  the  good- 
ness of  the  angels. 

Clare.  [To  Francis.]  Come,  what  is  your  burden  ? 

Francis.  This  .  .  .  that  you,  our  Lady  of  Beauty, 
give  your  hand  to  our  Lady  of  Poverty. 

Peter.  Would  you  have  us  suffer  her  to  the  dance  ! 

Francis.  As  it  is  with  you,  so  with  her.  Be  the 
greeting  friendless  or  kindly,  her  heart  is  wrung  or 
gladdened.     She  is  agog  for  the  frolics  of  her  age. 

B 


1 8  ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI         act  i 

Let  us  fill  her  with  merriment  for  a  span,  that  she 
may  forget  the  chilling  night,  stretched  at  the  tree's 
foot,  the  long  tread  of  the  morning.  The  lark  has 
perched  upon  the  garden-wall,  cherish  it  awhile,  before 
it  spread  its  wings  anew. 

Clare.  Whimsical  that  you  are!  For  the  poor 
there  is  alms.  Shall  we  bid  them  to  the  merry- 
making ? 

Beggar.  Lord,  let  me  depart.     I  am  not  welcome. 

Francis.  Not  so.  I  will  bend  them  to  my  per- 
suasion. I  plead  the  supreme  sanction,  which  is  the 
privilege  of  this  sceptre.  [  am  your  prince  and  you 
shall  hear  me.  If  it  be  your  will  to  dethrone  me 
after,  so  be  it.  I  am  your  elect,  not,  I  warrant,  for 
my  skill  in  hoarding  ducats.  To  be  lavish  and  more 
lavish  is  my  single  desert.  To  give  is  my  satisfaction 
and  I  have  grudged  nothing  to  any  man,  neither  to 
stranger  nor  to  my  friends.  Joy,  poesy  and  beauty 
are  my  exultation,  but  the  terror  of  grief  overwhelms 
me.  Awhile  I  sang,  as  it  liked  me,  till  the  glance  of 
this  child  reached  my  heart.  To  her  this  bower  is  the 
abode  of  enchantment.  You  are  comely,  you  are 
young,  you  are  sumptuously  vestured,  and  your  lips 
are  smiling.  Would  you  hunt  her  away  with  heavier 
feet  and  drooping  head  towards  no  certain  refuge, 
saying  in  her  sorrow  :  "  It  was  a  fine  thing  to  be  with 
the  rich.  I  looked  upon  their  festive  sports  and  I 
forgot  my  misery ;  but  my  sorrow  marred  their 
merriment  and  they  hunted  me  away."  Ah,  sweet 
comrades,  not  even  for  your  good  pleasure,  will  I  have 
it,  that  on  the  day  of  judgment,  a  poor  man  shall 


act  i         ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI  19 

arise  and  cry  against  me  :  "  Hard  of  heart  was  Francis 
to  me  that  was  weak  ;  and  niggard  in  the  midst  of  his 
plenty  ;  evil,  for  all  his  Christian  blood."  Thaw  your 
hearts,  0  you  who  are  so  smooth  in  speech  of  love.  .  . 
Love  is  compassion !  Love  is  tenderness  of  heart ! 
Thus  like  bread  to  the  body,  it  is  the  gift  of  a  little 
joy  to  the  soul.  What  are  your  claims  to  happiness  ? 
The  indulgence  of  gentle  birth  was  granted  you. 
Everything  has  been  yours  and  without  your  deserv- 
ing. 0  radiant  maidens,  welcome  this  beggar-girl,  as 
she  were  your  sister.  Give  place  to  poverty  within 
your  festive  ring,  that  heaven  therein  may  have  its 
portion. 

Clare.  Friends,  let  his  words  have  their  sway. 
Much  have  they  troubled  me. 

Emilia.  Verily,  my  heart  is  touched  ! 

Cecilia.     I  have  surely  wept ! 

Monica.     Francis  has  a  poet's  heart  ! 

Bernard.  Obey  him  this  night  and  on  the  morrow 
Francis  will  bring  a  leper  or  a  madman,  the  blind  or 
the  palsied.  Our  sports  will  become  the  refuge  of  the 
lame,  the  halt  and  the  epileptic.  Nay  more,  let  us 
found  a  lazar-house. 

Francis.  Hitherto  have  I  served  your  caprice,  deaf 
to  the  voice  of  authority  ringing  this  day  in  my 
heart. 

Clare.  What  says  that  voice  ? 

Francis.  That  Pity  is  the  authentic  Muse;  that 
those  that  sutler  must  be  comforted  ;  that  the  flowers 
which  the  tempest  has  bowed  must  be  uplifted ;  that 
the  limpid  waters  of  the  runnels  shall  not  be  muddied  ; 


20  ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI         act  i 

that  friendship  to  all  animals  and  brotherliness  to  all 
creatures  is  the  law. 

Bernard,  [In  a  whispier.]  Does  that  voice  not 
admonish  thee  how  thou  troublest  the  Lady  Clare  ? 

Egidius.  [In  a  whisper.]  The  beggar-girl  is  young, 
ay  and  comely.     Dost  thou  forget  it  ? 

Francis.  [Abashed.]  It  is  so  ! 

Bernard.  Thou  offendest  thy  friends,  thou  afflictest 
her,  who  holds  thee  dear  .  .  . 

Francis.  I  sought  to  gladden  the  face  of  grief  and 
another,  most  dear  to  me,  is  shadowed.     Clare.  .  .  . 

Clare.  Wherein  have  I  rebuked  you  ? 

Francis.  Oh,  can  it  be  that  I  have  grieved  you  ? 

Clare.  I  beg  you  let  the  girl  go ! 

[The  Beggar  weeps. 

Francis.  It  is  Poverty  which  weeps.  I,  who  would 
have  soothed  this  child,  have  but  added  to  her 
sorrow. 

Bernard.  Hearken  then  to  the  voice,  the  voice  that 
thou  must  obey.  Make  thy  choice  between  the  frown 
of  Clare  and  thy  beggar-girl. 

Francis.  [Distracted.]  Love  summons  me,  rosy 
spirit  of  delight,  but  grief,  the  magnet,  allures  me, 
whether  I  would  or  no. 

Bernard.  Thy  faltering  offends  the  Lady  Clare. 

Francis.  Sweet  comrades,  I  entreat  you,  bid  the 
girl  welcome  to  the  dance  ! 

Bernard.  Thy  subjects,  king  of  the  follies,  yield 
thee  dominion  no  more ! 

Egidius.  We  will  have  thee  abdicate,  like  a  king 
in  truth. 


act  r         ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI  21 

Francis.  Rudely  is  a  gulf  hollowed  between  us. 
Ay;  I  am  thrust  out  of  your  path.  Dear  friends,  I 
have  loved  you  well. 

Peter.  Come,  quit  him  ! 

Clare.  Francis  ? 

Francis.  You,  you  alone  are  piteous  among  them, 

0  blossom,  0  jewel  of  Assisi.  Lovely  and  gracious, 
sweet  of  soul,  forgive  me  that  I  offend  you.  Why  I 
have  acted  thus,  I  will  make  clear,  when  I  myself 
shall  know  it.     Go  then,  with  them.     As  in  a  vision  ; 

1  bow  to  a  decree. 

[Exeunt  All,  except  Francis  and  Beggar. 

Beggar.  My  gentle  lord. 

Francis.  Say  not  so.  Thou  wert  but  the  instru- 
ment of  my  fancy.  I  sought  and  failed  to  cheer  thee 
for  awhile. 

Beggar.  Lord,  you.  are  kind. 

Francis.  How  signifies  the  act  of  kindness  ?  My 
betrothed  is  cast  down  and  my  friends  are  weary,  that 
in  thee  I  might  hail  a  symbol  of  holiness !  Want, 
child,  is  the  mark  of  sovereignty  and  they  who  spurn 
it  are  without  light.  Child,  take  thy  road  again.  I 
should  but  say  unto  thee  things  of  too  dark  a  purport 
and  of  no  avail.  Gladly  would  I  give  thee  money  for 
thy  journey,  but  I  have  nothing. 

Beggar,  [Pointing  to  the  bauble.]     Thou  hast  this. 

Francis.  The  bauble?  Verily  this  plaything  of 
mine  has  a  seemly  destiny,  to  grace  the  hand  of 
poverty.  Take  also  my  cloak.  'Tis  streaked  with 
many  colours.  With  these  thou  canst  play  the 
mountebank  and  make  sport  with  the  children  in  the 


22  ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI         act  i 

villages.  When  the  door  is  rudely  shut  against  thee, 
as  is  the  lot  of  hapless  wayfarers,  remember,  for  thy 
comfort,  how  thou  didst  meet  one  evening  Francis 
Bernadone,  that  he  used  thee  courteously  and  greeted 
thee,  Poverty,  as  true  lady. 

[Exit  the  Beggar. 

Francis.  Alas,  what  ails  me  this  day  ?    All  of  a 
wonder  am  I  and  regardless  of  the  world  in  what  I 
do.     Clare  took  leave  of  me  and  sorrow  looked  from 
her  eyes.     She  had  no  compass  of  my  deed,  so  passing 
strange,  causeless  and  astonishing  myself.     Whence 
comes  it,  this  voice  that  the  ear  recks  not  of,  but 
tolling  through  my  heart,  like  echo  through  a  valley, 
triumphant  ?     The   old   passes  away  and    the    new 
begins.     Awhile,  I  trifled  and  I  loved  myself  ;    it  is 
dead  and  new  intents  are  born  with  me,  bountiful 
but  remote  and  dim!  [Laughter  in  the  wings.]      I 
hear  their  merriment  with  unconcern.     What  moves 
across  my  conscience  ?     Pshaw,  who  would  give  heed 
to  such  an  issue?     I  would  but  have  welcomed  to 
the  dance  a  beggar-girl,  and  my  friends  have  said  me 
nay.     Pity,   thy  name  is   penalty!     The   sorrowing 
faces  of  the   poor  gaze  from  the  threshold  of   the 
banquet,  amid  the  ro.-es  of  the  bower  and  turn  my 
cup  to  bitterness.     And  Clare!    I  have  wrung  her 
heart.     0  God,  the  meaning  of  it  ? 

[He  sits  down  dejectedly. 

[Enter  Clare. 

Francis.    [Going   towards  her.]    How  gracious  is 
your  coming  to  me  that  am  guilty.     Can  it  be  that 


act  i         ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI  23 

you  forgive  my  wayward  oddity  ?     0  miracle,  I  have 
dared  offend  you  ! 

Clare.  The  gipsy,  whore  is  she?  Sooth,  by  your 
quick  frenzy,  I  did  think  that  you  would  wed  her. 

Francis.  Her  spell,  it  was  her  penury  alone  ! 

Clare.  Francis  and  Poverty !  Such  marriage 
were  a  symbol ! 

Francis.  You  mock  me.     It  is  but  just. 

Clare.  Grant  it,  the  gipsy  liked  you  well  ? 

Francis.  Nay,  she  was  but  an  allegory,  a  riddle, 
an  idea.  .  .  . 

Clare.  And  the  idea  ? 

Francis.  Compassion  does  no  hurt  to  love !  Its 
bounteous  substance  in  us,  we  are  quick  to  light  on 
sorrow. 

Clare.  And  thus  you  shield  yourself ! 

Francis.  Will  you  confound  me  ?  How  shall  I 
declare  what  barely  I  surmise  ? 

Clare.  At  least  make  trial,  it  is  my  due ! 

Francis.  You  will  judge  me  mad.  It  may  be 
that  I  am  ! 

Clare.  In  sooth,  but  now  you  were,  though  I  am 
merciful. 

Francis.  "When  Jesus  appeared  among  men,  did 
He  come  robed  in  a  pope's  tiara  or  the  purple  of  an 
emperor  ?  Nay,  He  walked  with  naked  feet,  with 
but  a  single  coat,  and  neither  house,  nor  fields,  nor 
flocks  were  His.  The  bread  of  charity  was  his 
sustenance  alone.  The  precious  metals  that  sleep  in 
the  bosom  of  the  earth  were  His  to  gather  and  His 
to  strew  at  every  step.     What  multitudes  would  have 


24  ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI         act  i 

run  to  be  his  retinue !  But  lie  would  not.  He  was 
resigned  to  human  circumstance ;  as  we  are,  so  was 
H  .  But  his  hand  fingered  no  coin,  for  gold  is  not 
measured  as  men  value  it,  and  the  poor  alone  have 
the  likeness  of  Jesus. 

Glare.  The  gold  of  Jesus  was  a  gold  of  the  spirit, 
glorified,  immeasurable,  from  the  mint  of  eternity  and 
scattered  for  ever.     It  is  Love. 

Francis.  Love  is  the  core  of  the  riddle,  but  how  is 
Love  the  revealer  .  .  .  ? 

Clare.  It  is  enough  that  two  beings  bound  the 
one  to  the  other  in  a  burst  of  flame. 

Francis.  0  Clare,  my  beloved,  without  peer ;  your 
eyes  are  starred  with  spotless  beams  and  your  lips  of 
rose  are  aflame.  As  the  star  sheds  its  light,  the 
motion  of  your  hands,  hands  without  mar,  spills 
blessings  and  felicity.  Heaven  has  stamped  the 
fullness  of  its  peace  upon  your  brow.  Your  coun- 
tenance mirrors  the  universe,  transmuting  it  to  joy 
and  calm  and  immortality. 

Clare.  Poet  mine,  the  incense  of  your  words 
enwraps  me  and  I  am  giddy  with  them.     Love  .  .  . 

Francis.  Love  radiates  all  about  us.  The  toilsome 
day,  the  day  of  struggle  wanes  and  man  has  left  his 
labour  and  the  bird  has  told  its  song.  The  cradling 
night  stretches  its  soft  scarf  of  velvet  over  the 
westering  sun.  The  clouds  are  lingering  in  their 
gait  and  quiet  is  upon  the  leaves;  the  winds  are 
stilled  and  the  runnels  cease  their  broil.  All  things 
are  gathered  to  night's  cloister,  in  thought  and 
adoration. 


act  i         ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI  25 

Clare.  [Rapt.]  The  air  is  filled  and  filled  again 
with  minstrelsy.     Mine  ears  do  catch  it. 

Francis.  Heaven  dowers  the  earth  with  the  sainted 
kiss  of  even.  0  inexpressive  hour,  sweet  with 
harmony  ;  in  thee  all  lives  are  melted  in  their  source. 
Of  old,  John  lay  upon  the  shoulders  of  the  Master  and 
now  Creation  slumbers  in  the  arms  of  the  Creator. 

Clare.  My  soul  claps  its  wings  to  thy  voice's 
melody.  See,  the  first  star,  how  it  leaps  down  to  the 
last  streak  of  day.  Thus,  I  turn  towards  thee,  drunk 
with  thy  spell.  But  the  skies  let  not  fall  and 
the  earth  casts  not  up  this  hour's  beatitude ;  it  jets 
from  our  yoked  hearts ;  the  evening's  witchery  is 
the  mirror  of  our  love.  [The  angelus  rings. 

Francis.  Sweet  sounds  chime  in  my  ear. 

Clare.  It  is  the  angelus. 

Francis.  The  angelus? 

Clare.  The  Angel  of  the  Lord  announced  to 
Mary.  .  .  . 

Francis.  [Passionately.]  The  birth  of  Love. 

[Embrace.     The  angelus  rings  till  the  fall  oj 
the  curtain. 


curtain. 


ACT   II 

THE  KNIGHT 

(In  the  background  cypresses  and  pines  stand  out 
against  the  sky.  On  the  right,  the  Chapel  of  St. 
Damian ;  by  the  crumbling  wall,  above  a  stone 
altar,  can  be  seen  a  Byzantine  crucifix,  consecrated 
to  St.  Mary  ;  a  missal  is  upon  the  altar.) 

[Bernard,  Egidius  and  Peter. 

Bernard.  Behold  the  ruined  Chapel  of  St.  Damian, 
where  the  cloth-merchant's  son  will  buckle  on  the 
golden  spur  of  knighthood. 

Egidius.  Wherefore  has  he  preferred  this  ancient 
hermitage  ? 

Peter.  Who  can  unravel  the  crotchets  of  Francis  ? 

Egidius.  The  people  will  flock  to  see  him  conse- 
crate. 

Peter,  Our  bishop  Guido  is  to  lay  his  hands  upon 
the  new-fledged  Paladin.  [He  goes  into  the  chapel. 

Egidius.  This  ceremony  will  give  high  pleasure  to 
Bernadone.  It  has  cost  him  many  a  ducat,  but  vanity 
has  muzzled  avarice.  A  knight's  sire  !  It  has  fetched 
his  purse-strings  open.  Our  good  friend  is  sumptu- 
ously furnished. 

Bernard.  [Coming  out  of  the  chapel]  This  ruin  is 

27 


28  ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI         act  ii 

naked  to  all  the  winds  and  nothing  I  can  see,  but  a 
tall  Christ,  an  ancient  painting  and  a  mouldering 
missal. 

Peter.  What  strange  imaginings  has  Francis  ! 

Bernard.  He  is  fitly  named.  The  faults  and 
virtues  of  fair  France  are  vested  in  him.  Dreamer 
and  madcap,  a  man  of  whims  and  bounties,  heroic 
and  the  son  of  folly.  What  he  says  would  ever  make 
men  gape.  We  laugh  and  he  weeps ;  he  laughs  upon 
our  gravity.  Is  he  poet,  is  he  monk  or  is  he  disso- 
lute ?  For  in  him  three  men  are  mingled  and  haply 
to  be  a  saint,  haply  a  madman  is  his  destiny. 

Egidius.  Poet,  not  hero,  is  his  mark.  Conceive 
him  cleaving  the  foemen !  Use  horse  or  dog  with 
roughness  and  his  spirit  stirs.  Let  a  chance  beggar 
cross  his  steps  and  he  is  moved  to  pity.  In  winter, 
the  very  skylarks  are  his  care. 

Peter.  Surely  he  is  valiant.  My  eyes  have  watched 
his  disregard  of  peril,  but  nothing  will  mend  his 
sensibility. 

Egidius.  For  well  two  moons  he  has  played  the 
noisy  braggart,  and  is  overmuch  equipped  with  finery. 
Let  him  now  draw  back  and  there  will  be  a  pretty 
din  in  Assisi,  and  a  fine  wrath  from  the  father  for 
the  ducats  he  has  spent. 

Bernard.  'Twas  but  the  other  day  he  told  me, 
with  his  candid  air:  "I  shall  make  the  noblest 
prince." 

Egidius.  Should  Bobert  of  Brienne  have  no  better 
a  captain,  the  Germans  are  like  to  be  lords  of  Apulia 
for  many  a  day  yet,  despite  the  Pope's  admonishments. 


act  ii        ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI  29 

Bernard.  Francis  has  his  head  stuffed  with  adven- 
ture and  renown.  He  has  conned  the  French  lays, 
Roland,  Arthur,  the  Round  Table,  Perceval.  .  .  . 

Peter.  A  trusty  warrior,  Gentile  of  Campilio,  is 
to  be  his  sponsor. 

Bernard.  Think  you  he  will  quit  Assisi  in  quest 
of  phantoms,  he  who  is  beloved  of  our  Lady  Clare  .  . 
the  rose  of  beauty  and  virtue  ? 

Peter.  The  Lady  Clare  is  countess  born,  nor  will 
her  haughty  sire,  the  lord  Favorino  of  Scifn,  suffer  a 
match  with  lowliness. 

Bernard.  Nay,  he  would  yield  before  his  daughter's 
tears,  gilded  by  Bernadone's  many  shining  ducats. 

[Enter  Francis,  fully  armed,  Gentile  of 
Campilio  and  Train. 
Francis.  [To  the  three  above.]  Dear  friends,  boon 
fellows  of  my  junketings  and  soon  to  be  sponsors  of 
my  conversion.  Gentile  of  Campilio,  a  knight  of  fair 
report,  my  mentor,  is  no  stranger  to  you.  Ah,  who 
can  boast  that  he  can  cast  the  horoscope  of  fate 
aright !  The  merchant's  son,  your  jester  prince, 
haply  will  come  to  be  a  king  indeed.  The  liberal 
fire  of  conquest  glows  within  me  ;  the  lustre  of  my 
fortune  summons  me  and  the  wide  world  shall  ring 
with  my  name.  My  gentle  comrades  of  our  merri- 
ment and  dalliance,  the  lute  of  the  troubadour  is  laid 
aside.  Do  you  likewise  Have  done  with  noise  and 
matters  of  no  profit. 

Bernard.  Whence  comes  it,  this  new  mission,  thus 
unexpectedly  ? 

Francis.  We  are  fain  to  pierce  the  mystery  that 


30  ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI        act  ii 

is  life,  some  by  pleasure  and  others  by  endeavour,  but 
the  first  are  astray.  Awhile  I  dallied  to  my  full,  but 
now  I  gird  myself,  to  serve  and  to  deliver.  The  deed, 
the  deed  exalts  me.  Tenth  Muse  is  she,  so  lifted  high 
from  her  nine  sisters,  so  towering  that  she  has  no 
name.       Seven    sacraments    are    there,    but    thou, 

0  knighthood,  art  the  eighth  ! 

Bernard.  His  brain  is  ever  quick  with  fancies ; 
profane  and  sacred  blossom  afresh  with  secret 
flowers  of  his  imagination.  Lo,  we  have  a  new  Muse 
and  a  Sacrament  unknown  before. 

Gentile.  Let  him  battle  but  as  he  talks  and  the 
city  will  reap  much  glory. 

Francis.  Wherefore  this  melancholy  that  weighs 
upon  the  world  ?  It  travails  under  the  sway  of  the 
mighty,  under  the  hand  of  Cain.  The  knight,  angel 
of  earth,  harbinger  of  justice,  is  consecrate  to  weak- 
ness. He  is  the  warrior  of  the  oppressed,  the  fulfil- 
ment of  the  divine  word.  He  smites  and  the  arm  of 
the  Most  High  is  made  manifest,  for  Roland's  lance 
is  a  holier  thing  than  Turpin's  crosier.  Ah,  let  me 
feel  'the  hallowed  spurs,  steel  of  Heaven,  clasp  my 
heels ;  let  the  clean  blade  gleam  in  my  right  hand, 
the  two-edged  blade,  blade  of  justice,  deliverer  of  the 
poor  from  the  tyranny  of  the  rich,  salvation  of  the 
innocent  from  the  snares  of  the  froward ;  then  shall 

1  deem  myself  regenerate,  then  shall  I  be  deserving 
of  your  love. 

Gentile.  Warfare  is  the  call  of  a  ruthless  heart. 
Bernadone,  lean  not  overmuch  upon  pity !  The 
warrior  is  the  wild  beast ;  he  rends  and  is  rejoiced. 


act  ii        ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI  31 

Feel  but  the  dreadful  rapture  of  battle;  let  thine 
eyes  be  but  tranced  with  the  sight  of  blood  ;  be  but 
possessed  of  the  frenzy  of  the  rout,  of  the  trampling 
and  the  slaughter  ;  gaze  but  upon  thy  foe  in  his 
throes  in  the  dust,  his  head  crunched  beneath  thy 
foot,  and  then,  then  shalt  thou  know  thy  mission. 

Francis.  Oh,  savagery! 

Gentile.  Stand  in  fancy  before  thy  foeman.  The 
world  fades  from  thee  and  one  of  you  is  doomed. 
Thou  art  blind  to  all  save  two  eyes  shooting  their 
fiery  swords  upon  thee  ;  deaf  to  all  save  the  hissing 
breath  of  his  hate.  It  scorches  thy  face  and  rage  gets 
hold   upon  thee.     Thy  sword  is  lifted    and  whirled 

about  thee;    thou  smitest It  shivers  the 

helmet ;  it  pierces  the  skull,  and  the  head,  like  a  ripe 
fruit,  is  split  in  twain,  cloven  to  the  nose,  ay,  and  to 
the  teeth,  and  the  brain  gushes  out  in  its  fragments  .  . 

Francis.  Oh,  horrible  imaginings!  The  knight, 
who  fells  his  foe,  spares  when  he  is  prostrate. 

Gentile.  Thou  thinkest  upon  the  joust;  the 
combat  of  courtliness. 

Francis.  Wounds  and  death  I  will  defy,  and  ever 
bear  myself  in  knightly  wise. 

Gentile.  When  the  thrusts  crack  thy  armour  and 
thy  blood  clots  in  the  joints  of  iron,  thou  wilt  be 
savage  enough,  I  warrant  thee,  like  us  all. 

Francis.  The  encounter  of  knights  is  else  than 
that  of  wolves ! 

Gentile.  Thy  faith  is  in  the  troubadours,  false 
charlatans,  whose  poesy  doth  cheat  the  hearer,  to 
beguile  him.     The  knight  is  kindred  to  the  wolf,  save 


32  ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI         act  ii 

only  in  the  cause.  The  beast  is  thrall  to  hunger  and 
the  doughty  knight  is  servant  to  renown.  Be  the 
stakes  what  they  may,  for  shame  or  glory,  but  man  is 
turned  to  wolf  in  combat.  Dub  him  heroic  wolf,  wolf 
consecrate  or  wolf  of  heaven,  yet  wolf  he  is  and  savage, 
ravenous.     Elsewise,  men  fight  not  ever. 

Francis.  Hold  thy  peace!  Wilt  thou  sully  my 
vows  with  thy  foul  conceits  ?  Art  thou  not  sensible 
that  life  is  a  holy  thing,  that  to  deal  out  death  is  a 
challenge  to  God  Himself  ? 

Gentile.  Be  you  my  arbiters  !  This  Francis 
apprehends  warfare  as  he  would  a  tourney.  War  is 
the  poem  of  spilled  blood;  its  green  palm-branch 
burgeons  on  the  charnel  heap.  The  strain  of  victory 
swells  amid  the  death-rattles  and  the  lamentations 
and  mounts  with  the  pestilent  reek  of  the  carnage. 

Francis.  God  will  have  none  of  it. 

Gentile.  Seek  out  the  oracle  of  history  and  the 
epic.  What  were  their  deeds,  those  renowned,  those 
mighty,  those  glorious  emperors,  captains  and  valiant 
knights,  the  theme  of  men's  praise  and  the  argument 
of  many  a  lay?  They  slew  without  pity,  without 
truce.  Alexander,  Cresar  and  great  Charlemagne, 
what  were  they  ?  Destroyers  with  vultures  for  their 
retinue.  Their  every  eve  was  purpled  with  burnings, 
turning  the  verdurous  fields  to  desolation  and  mowing 
'neath  harvests  of  dead  men  God's  blessed  grain,  with 
mighty  sweeps  of  the  sword.  Verily,  warriors  are 
wolves  and  wolves  only.  .  .  . 

Francis.  The  Kingdom  of  the  Lamb.  .  .  . 

Gentile.  How  is  Jesus  revealed  to  humanity  ?     By 


act  ii        ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI  33 

His  blood.  Redemption  is  the  price  of  pain  and  to  be 
made  manifest  the  Everlasting  sacrificed  His  Son. 
By  blood  and  through  blood  is  the  accomplishment  of 
earthly  things.  Behold,  the  universe  is  red  and 
streaming,  for  Christ's  blood  oozes  from  the  promptings 
of  triumph  and  to  slay  the  trespassers  is  our  sacred 
task. 

Francis.  Nay,  to  vanquish  them,  to  turn  them  to 
repentance.  Death  shows  himself  and  the  inflexible 
purpose  of  a  chastened  life  is  exalted. 

Gentile.  Thou  protest,  Bernadone,  like  a  priest  and 
not  a  knight. 

Francis.  [Starting  a  little  aside.]  See,  how  swiftly 
the  firmament  lowers  upon  us,  and  the  shining  path, 
the  path  of  the  Holy  Graal,  is  unveiled,  forbidding, 
bloody,  a  dreadful  thing.  There  streamed  before  my 
eyes  a  banner  studded  with  stars ;  so  blithe  I  was. 
St.  George  stretched  me  his  hand  and  a  wolf  comes  in 
his  stead.  0  fealty,  justice  and  courtesy,  three  muses 
of  knighthood,  enchanters  of  my  soul,  what  shape 
have  you  taken  upon  you  ? 

Roland  and  Godfrey,  were  you  but  wolves  ?  The 
voice  that  brought  me  hither  is  silent  and  only 
peradventure  in  solitary  contemplation  will  my  ears 
catch  it  again. 

Peter.  [To  Gentile.]  Good  man-at-arms,  you  are 
no  cunning  orator.  Your  speech  affrights  his  zealotry, 
before  it  is  scarce  born. 

Gentile.  How  shall  he  bear  the  shock  of  blows  who 
trembles  at  a  word  ? 

Peter.  Nay,  but  Francis  is  not  yet  upon  his  way. 

c 


34  ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI         act  ii 

Gentile.  Pish  ! 

Bernard.  [To  Francis.]  Whither  goest  thou  ? 

Francis.  Let  silence  be  my  counsellor  ! 

[Francis  enters  the  Chapel. 

[Enter  Clare,  followed  by  Cecilia,  Emilia 

and  Monica.    Paces  carry  in  the  helmet 

and  the  swo?'d  on  cushions  and  another 

Page  bears  the  lance. 

Bernard.  [Going  up  to  Clare.]  Ever  fond  to  him 
who  ill  rewards  you  !  To  venture  the  hazard  of  battle 
he  forsakes  you  and  you  come  to  grace  his  passing  ! 

Clare,  Rebuke  him  not,  I  tell  you.  He  is  crested 
with  my  favours ! 

Bernard.  Beloved  of  you,  and  yet  he  goes !  What 
dowers  the  madcap  fellow  with  such  magic  in  your 
eyes? 

Clare.  Sirrah  !     Step  warily ! 

Bernard.  Verily,  your  love  deserves  not  to  be  his  ! 

Clare.  Howbeit  he  is  lord  of  it,  and  if  he  spurn 
it  my  heart  is  shut  to  all  men  and  opens  never. 

Bernard.  In  all  Assisi  there  is  no  man  who  would 
not  haste  to  serve  thee  and  abandon  all. 

Clare.  Therein  their  sacrifice  would  be  of  no  avail. 

Bernard.  You  have  forgiven  his  passage  with  the 
beggar-girl  ? 

Clare.  Francis  did  not  err. 

Bernard.  Ah,  that  smacks  of  witchcraft. 

Clare.  Comrades  bring  to  trial  and  reproach  their 
fellows ;  but  lovers  harmonize  and  interpenetrate. 
To  think  as  he  thinks  has  become  my  portion,  let  him 
wound  me  as  he  may.  [Bernard  moves  aivay. 


act  ir        ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI  35 

Francis.  [  Who  has  had  his  eyes  fixed  on  the  crucifix.'] 
How  mild  is  the  glance  of  those  eyes  upon  me,  no 
mirror  of  the  Passion's  awfulness,  but  brotherly, 
compassionate,  shedding  their  pity  for  our  daily  need. 
He  who  set  His  mighty  sign  before  us,  the  heroic 
One,  Who  took  unto  Him  Poverty  and  Death  after- 
wards for  wife,  rethereal  nuptials,  He  looks  upon  us 
inexpressively.  He  has  shed  no  blood,  but  gushed 
from  His  own  veins.  He  forbids  to  slay,  ay,  and  the 
most  evil.  The  Lamb  of  God  will  have  no  captaincy 
of  wolves.  My  hands  are  virgin  yet,  and  undefiled 
with  blood. 

Gentile.  [Uneasy.']  His  orison  is  everlasting. 

Peter.  You  have  quickened  his  every  queasiness. 

Gentile.  Surely  he  will  master  it. 

Francis.  [Rapt.]  True  chivalry  is  not  of  iron.  But 
how  shall  I  lay  bare  the  better  path,  and  who  will 
show  it  me  ? 

Gentile.  [Going  towards  Francis.]  He  lifts  his 
voice  in  prayer.    What  says  he  ? 

Clare.  [Stopping  him.]  Revere  the  mysteries  of 
his  soul. 

Gentile.  I  am  unquiet  for  my  pupil,  Lady  Clare. 

Francis.  [Joining  his  hands  ]  Thou,  Source  of  all 
being;  God  in  man  and  God  in  brotherhood.  From 
this  cross  of  shame  Thou  governest  the  world,  and  by 
Thy  death  Thou  hast  created  it  anew.  Evil  has  bowed 
the  knee,  not  by  the  sword,  but  by  Thy  example. 
Thou  hast  but  shown  life's  best  maturity  and  Thou 
hast  conquered.  Chasten  the  unrest  in  which  my 
spirit  strays.     0  Jesus,  what  is  my  task  ?     A  word, 


36  ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI        act  ii 

a  token  ?     I  hail  Thee  for  my  sovereign.     Do  Thou, 
Who  seest  into  all  hearts,  search  mine,     [A  silence, 
followed  by  a  sharp  exclamation.']     Who  calls  on  me? 
Who  spoke  my  name  ?     Lord,  is  it  Thou  ?     Nay,  so 
great   a   wonder   cannot    come   to   pass,   and    I   am 
mazed.    [Another  silence.]    This  time  I  can  no  longer 
doubt ;  my  name  has  spurted  from  Thy  lips.    [Throw- 
ing himself  on  his  knees.]     Lord,  Lord,  I  am  here. 
Thy  knight  doth  mind  Thee,  King  of  Heaven ;  direct 
me  with  Thy  word.     What  wilt  Thou  that  I  do? 
Thee  it   was   I   sought  through  all  my  follies,  and 
thought  to  find  Thee  in  my  feats  of   valour.  .  .  . 
Teach  me  Thy  will  and  reveal  me  the  way  of  Thy 
favour.     I  am  Thy  servant,   Thy  soldier,  and  Thy 
slave.     [Silence,  broken  by  heavy  sighs  of  astonishment.] 
O  wonder  of  my  salvation.    Thou  deemest  me  worthy 
of  a  quest.     Thou  biddest  me  "  mend  this  chapel "  5 
it  is  Thy  will  that  I  should  prop  Thy  tottering  Church 
for  "  love  of  Thee."     Gracious  and  Almighty,  it  shall 
be  according  to  Thy  pleasure.     Up,  couch  Thy  lance 
against  the  age  and  look  you  how  a  Christian   knight 
shall  match  the  proudest  Paladin.     My  faith  I  pledge 
Thee,  King°of  Heaven.     I,  thy  knight  in  fealty,  will 
bend  the  world  to  acknowledge  Thy  dominion. 

[He  stands  up,  and  appears  on  the  threshold. 

Clare.  [Perceiving  Francis  on   the   threshold.]   A 
splendour  radiates  from  his  countenance.   Behold  him  ! 

Cecilia.  He  has  a  prophet's  mien  ! 

Monica.  His  eyes  gleam  with  an  unearthly  lustre  ! 

Francis.  0  chivalry,  phantasy  of  glnvy,  and  thou, 
0  gallantry,  phantasy  of  love,  farewell  \ 


a,  i  ii        ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI  37 

Clare.  What  says  he?  Have  mine  ears  heard 
aright  ? 

Francis.  Lady,  my  vows  are  taken  ;  I  entreat  you 
hearken  to  them. 

Clare.  Francis-,  your  mien,  your  words  disorder 
me,  and  fear  possesses  me.  .  .  . 

Francis.  Without  that  voice  unspeakable,  thrice 
holy,  within  my  uplifted  soul,  I  could  not  endure  the 
sweetness  of  your  own. 

Clare.  What  voice  mean  you  ? 

Francis.  The  voice  which  said  unto  Simon  Peter  : 
"  Come,  follow  Me." 

Clare.  You  pronounce  these  ruthless  words  with 
fondest  stress. 

Francis.  Your  eyes  preserve  their  sovereign  appeal, 
but  others,  that  I  may  not  withstand,  have  looked 
upon  me. 

Clare.  What  eyes  mean  you  ? 

Francis.  The  eyes  that  dared  not  look  on  Judas 
at  the  Last  Sapper. 

Clare.  Ill-fated  one !  He  is  persuaded  that 
Jesus  has  appeared  and  spoken  to  him. 

Francis.  It  is  true. 

Clare.  Can  it  be  that  the  Saviour  has  come  down 
from  Heaven  and  robbed  me  of  your  souU 

Francis.  Though  He  has  gathered  all  my  heart, 
yet  are  you  no  exile  from  it. 

Clare.  If  you  are  His,  my  betrothed  is  lost  to 
me. 

Francis.  My  soul  still  cherishes  your  own ;  its 
passionate  sister. 


38  ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI        act  u 

Clare.  Forbear !  Your  talk  abuses  reason  and 
singleness  of  heart.     Will  you  become  a  priest  ? 

Francis.  Nay,  I  will  keep  my  knighthood.  Sack- 
cloth, the  colours  of  my  King,  I  will  carry  as 
my  gage,  and  I  will  do  His  works :  humility  and 
poverty. 

Clare.  [In  despair.]  Thus  my  foreboding  is  fulfilled 
and  he  espouses  poverty. 

Francis.  The  marriage  celebrated  of  old  in  Gali- 
lee. .  .  . 

Clare.  And  the  love  that  was  dedicate  to 
you? 

Francis.  No  love  it  is,  but  love's  phantom. 

Claire.  A  phantom!  The  effulgent  flood  that 
washed  our  hearts.  .  .  . 

Francis.  Such  love  is  torch-light  in  the  darkness 
of  the  night ;  another  glisters  as  peerless  as  the  sun. 
Hardly  can  I  fathom  it ;  but  soon  I  will  discover  it 
to  you. 

Clare.  Art  thou  mad,  or  false  of  heart  ? 

Francis.  Love  signals  me  and  I  must  bow  to  its 
decree.  You  are  the  consummate  bloom  of  every 
beauty,  but  Heaven  lures  me  to  its  wondrous 
bounties. 

Clare.  My  love  and  his  renown,  he  has  forsaken 
them! 

Francis.  My  aspiration  flies  to  glory  everlasting, 
and  I  am  learned  in  immortal  things. 

Clare.  His  spirit's  wings  speed  proudly  upward  ; 
while  I,  I  linger  here,  mingled  with  the  throng.  Nor 
is  his  resolve  ruffled  by  aught  of  regret. 


act  ii        ST.   FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI  3  > 

Francis.  Forgive  the  evil  that  I  do  you.     I  will 
atone  for  it. 

Gentile.  [To  Francis.]  Come,  what  has  thy  medi- 
tation revealed  to  thee  ? 

Francis.  One  more  cunning  in  words  will  declare 
it  to  thee. 

Bernard.  Thou  hast  been  right  chary  hitherto  of 
aid  to  tell  thy  mind. 

Francis.  The  King  Himself  will  be  His  herald's 
interpreter. 

Egidius.  Thy  spirit  is  inscrutable,  nor  can  I 
divine  it. 

Francis.  [To  Bernard.]  Go,  fetch  the  dusty  Gospel 
from  the  altar. 

[Bernard  nods  his  head  and  obeys. 

Egidius.  We  shall  be  partners  in  some  odd  caprice. 
The  Lady  Clare  can  scarcely  stay  her  tears. 

Gentile.  It  misgives  me  now  as  to  what  portends 
his  mission. 

Bernard.  Take  thy  book. 

Francis.  Open  at  a  venture  and  read  therein. 

Bernard.  [Reading.]  "  If  thou  wouklst  be  perfect, 
go,  sell  that  thou  hast  and  give  to  the  poor,  and 
come,  follow  Me." 

Francis.  By  his  choice,  the  Christian  knight  is 
first  a  beggar.  [To  Bernard.]  Consult  the  book  a 
second  time. 

Bernard.  "  Take  nothing  for  thy  journey,  neither 
staff,  nor  wallet,  nor  bread,  nor  money." 

Francis,  The  Christian  knight  leans  upon  his  God 
alone.    The  last  time,  Bernard,  read  where  thou  wilt. 


40  ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI        act  ii 

Bernard.  "If  any  man  would  come  after  me,  let 
him  deny  himself  and  follow  me." 

Francis.  Such  are  the  decrees  of  Christian  chivalry. 
Indigence,  security  in  God  and  self-despising.     Bear 
testimony  all  to  this  my  triple  vow. 
Clare.  Oh,  heaven  ! 

Bernard.  I  said  aright  he  would  not  go. 
Egidius.  And  wilt  thou  store  the  virtues  behind 
thy  father's  counter  ? 

Gentile.  Renunciation  of  thy  knighthood  thus ; 
the  pity  of  it ! 

Francis.  For  me,  the  cross  is  meeter  weapon  than 
the  sword,  and  I  will  bear  my  burden  sans  fear  and 
sans  reproach.  My  horse  finds  favour  with  you, 
Gentile  ? 

Gentile.  It  is  a  peerless  charger. 
Francis.  Take  it.     It  is  thine.     Wouldst  thou  my 
lance,  my  buckler  and  my  sword  ? 

Gentile.  Thou  art  pleased  to  jest?  Thy  father 
comes  this  way. 

Francis.  Which  father  mean  you  ? 
Bernard.  Verily,  his  wits  have  left  him  ! 
Francis.  Say  not  so  !  My  wisdom  comes  to  birth. 
Each  man  is  fathered  twice,  ....  His  earthly 
father  who  begat  him,  and  to  whom  all  reverence  ; 
his  heavenly  Father  Who  created  him,  to  Whom  all 
adoration. 

Peter.  Be  wary  of  thy  father  here  below. 
Francis.  Here   I  declare    the    first-fruits  of  my 
valour,  and  in  this  place  I  challenge  all  the  world, 
world's  logic  and  world's  wisdom. 


act  ii        ST.   FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI  41 

Bernard.  Francis,  what  is  thy  claim  ? 

Francis.  To  fulfil  my  Father's  works ! 

Peter.  Hey,  but  thy  father  is  a  merchant. 

Francis.  Eternity  he  barters  to  his  sore  affliction. 

Peter.  Take  heed  of  Bernadone's  wrath  ! 

Francis.  My  heed  is  only  of  Christ's  festival ! 

[Enter  Bernadone. 

Bernadone.  Where  art  thou,  new-fledged  knight  ? 
Dear  son,  it  gladdens  me  to  see  thee  furnished  thus. 
Nay,  not  Robert  of  Brienne  himself  has  such  an 
equipage. 

Francis.  I  fear  thou  wilt  be  sore  provoked,  my 
father. 

Bernadone.  I  will  be  indulgent  to  thy  pranks,  upon 
this  day  of  grave  ceremony.  Who  calls  the  merchant 
Bernadone  niggard,  who  orders  his  array  thus 
sumptuously  ? 

Francis.  Surely,  my  father,  thy  testiness  will 
scourge  me ! 

Bernadone.  Is  it  more  of  thy  besotted  charity  ? 
Thy  ducats  ooze  away  like  very  mites. 

Francis.  My  father,  I  entreat  thy  pardon. 

Bernadone.  Ay,  I  pardon  all,  for  chivalry's  fair 
name. 

Francis.  My  father,  I  forsake  the  sword,  the  lance. 

Bernadone.  What  say'st  thou. 

Francis.  I  was  deluded.  No  buckling  of  the  spur, 
but  other  is  my  mission. 

Bernadone.  How  ? 

Francis.  Hear  me  then,  father.  My  new  intent  is 
contrary  to  thine. 


42  ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI        act  ii 

Bernadone.  I  did  make  shift  of  full  many  of  thy 
crotchets.  .  .   . 

Francis.  Hereafter,  I  am  done  with  them. 

Bernadone.  Declare  thyself.     What  is  thy  mind  ? 

Francis.  My  purpose  is  to  don  the  hermit's 
cloth. 

Bernadone.  Ho  !  thou  rascal !  Restore  me  first  my 
ducats  and  my  fair  repute.  This  stroke  of  thine  has 
fleeced  me  of  my  wealth  and  stripped  me  for  the  gibes 
of  all.  Already  the  tauntings  of  the  city  din  my  ear. 
A  truce  to  this  craziness,  I  tell  thee.  The  Bishop  is 
upon  his  way,  and  'fore  God,  he'll  come  upon  no 
bootless  quest.  His  blessing  is  as  costly  as  a  suit 
of  armour.  Francis,  enough  of  this  thy  plaguy 
folly. 

Francis.  Father,  as  I  have  spoken,  so  shall  it  be. 

Bernadone.  Sirrah  !  Beware ! 

Francis.  Your  displeasure  is  but  just  and  I 
acknowledge  it. 

Bernadone.  Give  ear,  good  Francis.  My  speech 
is  mild.  Impose  not  this  presumption  on  me.  Ponder 
awhile.  Thy  youth  has  been  full  prosperous  by  my 
means.  Thou  hast  been  welcomed  by  thy  lavishness 
within  the  circle  of  the  nobles.  To  give  was  thy 
delight,  and  by  my  assent.  Wilt  thou,  this  day,  put 
my  good  name  in  jeopardy? 

Francis.  My  own  I  stake  likewise,  for  I  have  sworn 
to  be  God's  servant. 

Bernadone.  Wilt  thou  beard  me  ?  Handle  thy 
lance,  else  I  will  wield  it  as  a  cudgel  and  thou  wilt  be 
witness  of  the  merriest  drubbing. 


act  ii        ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI  43 

Francis.  You  are  incredulous,  but  natheless  I  speak 
troth.     Jesus  vouchsafed  to  speak  unto  me. 

Bernadone.  Thou  fool,  thou  overweening,  doltish 
thing  !  Thy  words  do  spell  derision.  Jesus  spake  to 
thee,  presumptuous  boy ! 

Look  upon  this  saintly  mouther,  this  miracle-worker, 
a  popinjay,  a  wanton  ever  dangling  the  guitar.  For 
ever  mumming  and  bedding  with  the  dawn.  God 
speaks  to  him,  and  he  is  never  at  the  church.  .  .  . 

Francis.  I  am  unworthy  of  His  graciousness,  but 
our  gentle  Saviour  has  oft  been  pleased  to  winnow 
forth  the  frailest  and  the  lowliest,  that  his  loving- 
kindness  might  shine  the  brighter. 

Bernadoxe.  So  God  has  spoken  to  thee  ?  Well, 
sir,  what  said  He  to  thee  ? 

Fraxcis.  He  charged  me  restore  His  tottering 
church. 

Berxadoxe.     What  church  ? 

Fraxcis.  This  ancient  chapel ! 

Berxadoxe.  So  be  it !  Let  all  men  testify  my 
matchless  excellence  ;  myself  will  bear  the  burden  and 
execute  the  heavenly  decree.  I  will  pay  the  masons ; 
but  thou,  fulfil  thy  vow  ! 

Francis.  If  the  Emperor  commanded  you :  "  Do 
this,"  would  you  summon  menials  for  the  task  ? 
Yourself  would  do  his  will,  for  honour's  sake.  Jesus 
requires  that  I  rebuild  the  church  with  the  labour 
of  my  hands,  and  no  silver  will  I  take  but  in 
charity.  .  .  . 

Bernadone.  The  hermit  is  converted  .to  the  beggar. 
Oh  !  last  extremity  of  folly.     Is  thy]  sick  brain  yet 


44  ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI        act  ii 

pregnant  with  new  contrivances,  to  my  confusion  ? 
Wilt  thou  shame  me  thus  ? 

Francis.  I  bend  my  head  unto  my  heavenly 
Father  ! 

Bernadone.  Thou  caitiff,  dost  thou  renounce  me  ? 
Knowest  thou  not  what  heaven  enjoins  upon  chil- 
dren .  .  .  to  be  reverent  and  dutiful  ? 

Francis.  Thy  words  are  true;  but  Christ  has 
spoken, 

Bernadone.  Speak  He  thus  and  He  is  contrary  to 
His  very  precepts. 

Francis.  I  am  full  sensible  of  your  choler. 

Bernadone.  And  thou  shalt  have  full  evidence  of 
it,  except  thou  dost  comply. 

Francis.  Liefer  would  I  die ! 

Bernadone    A  cudgel !     Fetch  me  a  cudgel ! 

[He  seizes  Francis  by  the  neck. 
[Enter    Guido,    in    a    cope,    followed,     by 

ACOLYTES. 

Guido.  Peace  be  with  you !  Sir  Bernadone,  where- 
fore this  anger  ? 

Bernadone.  Sire !  My  son  apes  frenzy,  to  distract 
me.  The  froward  has  it  that  his  heavenly  Father 
forbids  his  enterprise  to  the  crusade,  and  he  will  for- 
swear his  knighthood  to  become  a  beggar. 

Guido.  I  am  come  to  sanctify  his  arms.  If  he 
turn  his  purpose,  I  will  depart. 

Bernadone.  Will  you  not  admonish  this,  my 
unworthy  son  ?  Will  no  censure  issue  from  your 
lips?  He  whelms  me  with  disgrace  and  makes  me 
food    for    mockery.      He    has    renounced    me    and 


act  it        ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI  4 ."3 

bruited    it  abroad.     Deem   you   him   not   meet    for 
censure  ? 

Guido.  Sir,  these  brawls  are  family  matters.  If  it 
please  you  chastise  Francis,  arraign  him  before  the 
Councils. 

Francis.  Let  me  make  the  church  my  vocation 
and  I  am  exempt  from  their  jurisdiction. 

Guido.     It  is  true.     If  then,  my  son,  thou  pro- 
claim thyself  consecrate  to    Holy  Church,  I,  in  thy 
name,  will  uphold  the  freedom  of  the  priest. 
Francis.  I  am  Christ's  servant,  I  declare  it. 
Berxadoxe.  Unnatural  child  !     Son  of  perdition  ! 
I  disinherit  thee. 

Francis.  My  father ;  unflinching  I  forswear.  .  .  . 
Berxadoxe.  Words,    words !      Make    good    thine 
apostolate.     Forswear  in  writing  with  due  ceremony. 
Fraxcis.  It  is  well. 

Berxadoxe.  Take  my  ink-horn  and  the  vellum,  for 
the  Bishop  to  attest  his  signature.  Hand  me  thy 
renunciation.  And  know  this,  that  a  hermit  has  no 
need  of  patrimony. 

Fraxcis.  My  father,  herein  I  may  obey  you,  and 
I  am  prompt  to  do  your  pleasure. 

[lie  enters  the  chapel, 
Berxadoxe.  Thou   wdioreson,   thou    wretch,   thou 
treacherous  knave ! 

Guido.  Hold,  sir,  you  are  too  short  writh  him  and 
stretch  your  words  past  moderation. 

Clare.  Francis  is  witless,  but  you,  sir,  are  over- 
harsh. 

Berxadoxe.  Hey !     Do  you  shield   him  ?     It   be- 


40  ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI        act  ii 

comes  you,  Lady  Clare,  alike  with  me  to  hold  him  in 
abhorrence. 

Clare.  Myself,  I  love  your  son  ;  you  love  him  not. 

Bernadone.  He  renounces  me  before  you  all. 

Francis.  [Writes  on  the  altar.]  Lord,  I  am  ran- 
somed from  all  earthly  sanction,  and  to  Thee  alone 
am  wholly  dedicate.  To  love,  to  family  and  the 
world  I  say  farewell  for  Thy  loving  kindness  only. 

Bernadone.  [Raging.]  Not  only  is  he  madman, 
but  a  very  thief.  This  speciousness  of  his  has 
filched  me  of  my  wealth.  Think  you  I  would  have 
lavished  all  this  brave  array  upon  him,  had  I  divined 
his  perfidy?     He  has  plundered  me,  and  is  a  pilferer. 

Francis.  [Overhearing.]  Ah,  he  shall  be  restored 
his  possessions,  all  that  has  been  mine. 

[Re  passes  behind  the  altar  and  takes  off  his 
clothes, 

Bernadone.  Thou  beggarly  rascal !  thou  cheat ! 
thou  accursed  dog !  Wilt  thou  bring  down  buf- 
fooneries on  my  grey  hairs  ? 

Clare.  Sir,  your  words  are  shameless  and  un- 
fatherly. 

Francis.  [Rushing  from  the  chapel,  bearing  his 
garments  in  a  bundle  and  the  vellum.]  Hearken  all 
and  hold  my  words  in  memory.  Peter  Bernadone, 
hereto  I  named  you  father  ;  henceforth  I  am  God  s 
squire.  Therefore  I  lay  clown  the  portion  of  my 
heritage  and  yield  him  all,  my  raiment  also.  Nought 
have  I  now  pertaining  to  him.  Thus  and  thus  only 
I  shall  speak  hereafter :  "  Our  Father  which  art  in 
Heaven."  [He  casts  his  burden  at  lis  father's  feet. 


act  n        ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI  47 

Quido.  [Drawing  him  under  the  covering  of  his  cope.} 
Francis,  assuage  thine  exaltation  and  come,  shelter 
beneath  my  cope. 

Bernadone.  Look  upon  him,  look  upon  him,  the 
demoniac  ! 

A  Beggar.  [Emerging  from]  the  crowd.]  Full  many 
a  time  has  Francis  fed  me  with  the  bread  of  charity, 
and  I  do  gladly  tender  him  my  ancient  mantle. 

Clare.  [To  Bernard.]  A  hard  commentary  upon 
you  is  this  beggar's  deed. 

Bernadone.  He  gets  no  more  of  me,  does  he  say  ? 
He  is  deceived.  The  crumbs  of  my  affection  I 
surrender  to  him.     My  curse  upon  his  head  ! 

Francis.  [Who  has  put  on  the  cloak.]  A  father's 
curse,  ruthless  an  it  be,  affrights  me.  Thou, 
who  hast  bestowed  thy  mantle  on  me,  take  thou  a 
father's  office. 

Bernadone.  "Wheresoever  I  shall  find  thee,  Francis, 
there  I  will  vent  my  curses  on  thee. 

Francis.  [To  the  Beggar.]  If  thou  seest  Bernadone 
curse  me  and  I  shall  say  to  thee  "  my  father,"  cross 
thyself  and  bless  me  in  his  stead. 

Bernadone.  [To  an  urchin.]  If  thou  wilt,  this  ducat 
shall  be  thine.  Run  through  the  streets  of  Assisi  and 
herd  the  urchins  to  you.  Tell  them  a  madman  shelters 
at  St.  Damian.  Flock  hither  in  a  press  to  stone  him 
and  torment  him.  Him  who  was  my  son,  I  deliver  to 
their  hootings. 

[Exit    Bernadone    bearing    the    garments    of 
Francis  and  the  vellum. 

Guido.  Francis,  what  wilt  thou  do? 


48  ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI       act  n 

Francis.  Accomplish  my  vow  ! 

Guido.  The  ways  of  God  are  dark,  nor  can  I 
determine  judgment.  Whether  a  seer  elect  of  God, 
or  whether  antic,  the  future  shall  discover. 

[Exit  V)ith  his  train. 

Bernard,  What  is  friendship's  office  ? 

Peter.  We  cannot  countenance  his  folly. 

Egidius.  Come,  quit  him  ! 

Gentile.  When  all  forsake  him,  meditation  will 
advise  him  best ! 

[Exeunt  all;  Clare  and  her  friends  after  all 
the  rest.  Francis  stands  apart  as  if  in 
•prayer. 

Francis.  [^1/owe.]  Each  several  link  is  shattered, 
yea  even  the  link  of  love,  the  link  of  blood,  and  by 
my  hands.  I  stand  unfettered,  freest  of  mankind. 
This  mantle,  lent  me  by  a  beggar,  is  my  only  goods. 
Inheritances,  law-suits,  traffics,  0  sorry  cares,  remote 
from  my  imaginings.  Unpent,  like  birds  they  soar 
above  me,  sporting  in  the  lustrous  firmament  of 
deathless  dreams.  This  day,  what  signifies  the 
covenant  of  men  ?  The  devil  I  defy  !  my  neighbour 
I  defy  !  Stones  and  calumny  I  run  the  gauntlet  of 
alone !  He  who  shall  come  to  slander  me  is  my  friend, 
for  he  will  'put  my  patience  to  the  proof.  Hence- 
forward nought  shall  chance,  that  serves  not  for  my 
uplifting.  Behold,  I  am  distant,  out  of  time,  out- 
topping  man  and  fronting  God.  O  poverty,  I  greet 
thee  with  an  heart  aflame,  my  puissant  mistress,  our 
Lady  of  deliverance. 

[Enter  a  troop  of  Urchins  who  climb  the 


act  ii        ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI  49 

small  hillock.      They  come  forward  icith 
silent  grimaces  and  surround  Francis. 
Children.  The  madman,  the  madman.     Out,  out 
upon  thee.     Hey,  the  madman.     Ho,  ho. 

Francis.  A  corse  entices  flies  and  I  am  dead  to  all 
my  fellow-men. 
Children.  The  madman  of  St.  Damian 
Looks  in  the  church  to  find, 
Guess  !     Something  less  than  nothing, 

His  mind. 
Ho,  ho,  out  upon  thee. 
Francis.  Behold  these  innocents,  already  evil-doers 
for  the  sake  of  gain. 

Children.  The  madman,  hey,  the  madman. 

Ho,  ho,  out  upon  thee ! 
Francis.  There  runs  a  tale  of  how  the  flies  assailed 
a  lion,  so  that  he  perished.     Methinks  I  shall  be  quit 
of  them  for  less,  a  little  plaster  and  some  hallooing. 
Children.  [More  aggressive.] 

The  madman  of  St.  Damian 
Looks  in  the  church  to  find, 
Guess !     His  mind. 

[Enter  Clare. 
Clare,  [To  the  Leader.]    A  ducat  has  been  given 
thee  and  here  are  more.     Now,  get  thee  gone,  thee 
and  thy  rascally  playfellows. 

Urchin.  Ho,  come,  all  of  you  to  my  feast.     Quit 

the  madman,  quit  him  !   See  !    These  ducats  all  for  us  ? 

Children.  Hey,  hey,  huzza  for  the  madman,  shout 

for  the  madman  !  [Exit  Children. 

Francis.  0  sainted  woman,  come  you  back  to  him, 

D 


50  ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI        act  n 

the  son  accursed  of  his  father,  him,  forsaken  of  his 
friends,  the  beggarman,  the  witless  one  ?  All  have 
fled  my  presence,  but  the  Lady  Clare  is  with  me. 
O  face,  new  come  from  Paradise,  O  Madonna's  heart 
newborn,  my  benisons  upon  you. 

Clare.  Francis,  why  played  you  me  false?  A 
stouter  faith  from  you  was  my  desert.  Deny  the 
world  and  it  is  well,  but  why  denied  you  me 
likewise  ? 

Francis.  Verily,  I  am  guilty  in  your  sight.  At 
a  breath  it  came  to  pass,  an  it  were  a  vision.  I 
besought  an  healing  inspiration  in  my  sore  distress 
and  Jesus  tarried  not  to  answer  me.  Come,  0  my 
beloved  lady,  come  and  haply  the  wondrous  crucifix 
will  speak  to  you. 

Clare.  Nay,  I  fear  this  baneful  ground,  wherein 
my  dream  of  youthfulness,  my  dream  of  sweet  felicity, 
has  taken  wing. 

Francis.  My  own  likewise.  And,  oh,  what 
pleasantness ! 

Clare.  Your  love  is  vanished  from  me.  Oh,  tell 
me  wherefore  is  it  gone  ? 

Francis.  I  have  loved  you  never  as  I  love  you  at 
this  hour,  when  I  am  wretched,  solitary,  dishonoured, 

Clare.  Natheless,  you  spurn  me  away  ! 

Francis.  It  is  the  voice  which  leads  to  God. 
Already  you  go  after  it,  for  you  are  come  and  speedily 
to  comfort  me. 

Clare.  But  at  the  last,  you  leave  me  sorrowful,  to 
follow  a  voice  all  excellent  in  your  eyes  and  heedless 
of  my  wounded  heart. 


act  i!         ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI  51 

Francis.  I  will  call  upon  God ;  I  will  call  so 
earnestly  that  he  will  restore  me  my  betrothed. 

Clare.  Of  your  own  will  you  hunt  her  away. 

Francis.  I  am  the  servant  to  a  God  of  excellence, 
of  justice  and  of  great  kindness  ....  And  I  shall 
not  lose  you.     That  I  know  full  well. 

Clare.  O  words  void  of  understanding  !  You  lose 
me  ;  I  declare  it  unto  you.     Farewell.  [Exit. 

Francis.  God's  own.  Yea,  you  are  his  and  you  are 
mine.  The  grace  of  Heaven  sits  upon  you.  Oh, 
slender  as  a  flower,  praised  be  the  Lord  who  fashioned 
her  in  comeliness  like  this.  To  my  task  !  I  have 
loitered  overmuch.     Let  me  rebuild  the  chapel. 

[He  begins  to  carry  stones. 
[Francis  ivorking.    TJj>  stage,  Clare  and  her 
friends,  Bernard  and  Peter. 

Bernard.  According  as  he  spoke  he  has  done ! 

Peter.  He  is  mad  ! 

Bernard.  Come,  leave  the  witless  fellow  to  his  lot, 

Clare.  Nay,  this  is  no  madman!  It  is  an  angel. 
His  heart  is  of  exceeding  greatness,  of  exceeding 
beauty  and  exceeding  innocence;  nor  could  any 
woman  fill  it.  Heaven  was  jealous  of  my  pride  !  God 
has  snatched  him  from  me ! 


CURTAIN. 


ACT    III 

THE  MISSION    OF    CLARE— MARCH   19, 

1212 

{The  interior   of  Our  Lady  of  the  Angels — almost  a 

barn.) 
[Francis;  around  him  are  his  first  disciples, 
Bernard,  Egidius,  Peter,  Sylvester, 
Leo  ;     among     the     audience,     Clare, 
Cecilia,  Emilia  and  Monica. 

Francis.  [Preaching.]  My  masters,  my  brothers, 
and  my  children  !  your  quest  is  happiness,  and  I  have 
found  it.  Fie,  you  will  say.  How  shall  this  sluggard, 
this  antic,  who  set  Assisi  by  the  ears,  this  rude  fellow, 
how  shall  he  presume  to  teach  us,  who  is  less  than 
we  ?  But  He  Who  fashioned  the  world  out  of  chaos, 
He  likewise  fashioned  brother  Francis  out  of  less. 
The  great  King,  of  Whom  I  am  the  herald,  spake  to 
me :  "  Francis,  My  Church  tottereth  to  its  fall,"  and 
I  did  gird  myself  to  build  again  the  chapel.  Nor  had 
I  compassed  that  our  souls  are  verily  the  churches  ; 
that  Christ  doth  plant  His  will  within  our  bosoms, 
rather  than  upon  His  altars.  Within  the  garden, 
untended  and  forlorn,  rank  weeds  do  choke  the 
flowers.  Likewise  do  passions  choke  the  virtues. 
Ambition  licks  us  up,  and  envy  is  our  taskmaster ;  in 

53 


54  ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI       act  hi 

pride  of  heart  we  are  born  ;  therefore  we  are  in 
bondage.  Man's  plaudits  steel  us  to  endeavour  un- 
relaxing.  From  the  toils  of  the  world,  from  the  toils 
of  gold  I  am  come  to  deliver  you.  Behold  me,  in  my 
lowliness,  a  man  set  free  !  If  one  of  you  should  rise 
and  say  unto  me :  "  Francis,  thy  words  are  like  to  the 
braying  of  an  ass,"  his  judgment  fits  my  very  estimate. 
Vanity  I  have  cast  away,  the  burden  of  folly.  Do 
you  likewise.  By  love  our  soul  has  its  being.  Spurn 
covetousness  and  vain-glory,  and  God  is  in  the  room 
of  vanity.  Love  is  harbinger  of  peace  and  happi- 
ness. One  only  has  cherished  us  woeful  men,  He 
Who  like  the  pelican  sacrificed  Himself.  Therefore 
love  you  Jesus.  He  is  mild  of  heart  and  of  your 
labour,  howso  scant  it  be,  He  takes  glad  reckoning. 
For  in  love  nought  is  lightly  weighed  or  of  little 
count.  Love,  and  love  always,  Let  your  heart  be  as 
a  furnace,  wherein  others  may  be  heated.  Fire  is 
without  stain  and  without  corruption,  and  nothing 
base  can  quench  its  fieriness.  Love  and  love  always  ; 
Love  is  Christ.  Grant  Him  your  heart  and  I  will 
stake  you  His.  He  is  at  once  your  Father  and  your 
Brother,  your  Friend  and  your  Beloved.  Come  to 
Him,  and  peace  and  liberty  shall  be  your  portion. 
Love  ever. 

[Francis  kneels  and  p'ays.  His  Hearers 
glide  away,  Clare,  Cecilia,  Emilia 
and  Monica  only  remaining. 

Cecilia.  0  noble  spirit ! 

Emilia.  A  burning  star  ! 

Monica.  Ar:d  dove-like! 


act  in       ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI  55 

Clare.  Sweet  friends,  divine  my  sore  dismay. 
Mine  ear  hearkens  to  this  heavenly  voice,  the  voice 
that  dropped  its  words  of  love  to  me ;  mine  eyes 
regard  this  countenance  so  delicate  and  smiling ; 
those  glistering  eyes  of  jet  and  ruddy  lips ;  that 
goodly  shape  and  nimble  gait ;  that  surpassing  like- 
ness of  a  courtly  knight,  and  I  am  racked  with 
bitterness  and  grey  melancholy.  There  is  nought 
that  he  laments,  but  he  dwells  in  peacefulness  and 
bliss,  forgetful  even  that  he  loved  a  lady  ere  he  loved 
his  God,  forgetful  of  her  tears.  Life  and  faith ;  1 
do  abhor  them  ! 

Emilia.  Be  comforted  in  this  :  thou  hast  no 
rival. 

Cecilia.  Forgetting  thee,  he  has  forgot  the  name 
of  love. 

Monica.  Forsaking  thee,  his  heart  must  fain  for- 
sake the  earth  ! 

Clare.  God  suffices  unto  Himself  and  of  Himself 
He  draws  his  sustenance.  How  needed  He  the  love 
of  Francis  ?  Lo,  while  yet  a  virgin,  I  am  widowed, 
and,  despite  my  twenty  years,  a  mourner. 

Monica.  Reflect  on  those  who  will  be  comforted  ; 
the  myriad  souls  delivered  by  thy  lover. 

Clare.  Alas!  my  affliction  is  my  only  care,  and 
losing  him  I  lost  my  soul. 

Emilia.  A  thousand  others  are  nourished  on  thy 
welfare. 

Monica.  What  he  would  have  given  thee  he 
scatters  broadcast  among  all. 

Cecilia.    That    self-same    heart,    that    fain    had 


56  ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI       act  hi 

dowered  thee  with  bliss,  opens  Heaven's  gate  to  mul- 
titudes. 

Clare,  Ah,  that  touches  all  my  ruth.  He  ia 
everyman's  possession.  He  gives  himself,  he  squanders 
himself  to  all  men.  He  summons  this  man  or  draws 
nigh  to  him ;  he  gives  that  man  his  blessing  and 
hearkens  to  him.  The  poor  man  he  will  kiss,  the 
leper  he  will  touch.  I  only,  once  his  lady,  I  am  shut 
from  his  communion. 

Emilia.  Hast  thou  seen  him,  since  his  vow  at  St. 
Damian  ? 

Clare.  Nay,  and  I  have  not  wished !  My  pride 
did  hinder  me.   .  .  . 

Cecilia.  Thy  pride?  Didst  thou  not  hear  his 
words :  "  Come,  cast  away  vanity,  the  burden  of 
folly  "  ?     He  but  said  it  a  short  while  since. 

Clare.  Let  him  preach,  and  I  am  deaf  unto  his 
words.  I  hear  his  voice  alone,  beloved  voice,  and  I 
remember  what  he  did  confess  to  me,  how  he  did  tell 
me  that  he  loved  me  and  how  beautiful  I  was,  with 
voice  of  swelling  melody  and  in  the  fashion  of  a 
madrigal. 

Emilia.  Verily,  thou  art  jealous  of  the  boons  that 
he  bestows  ? 

Clare.  It  is  true.  The  while  he  was  a  hermit, 
roving  where  he  list,  in  contemplation  before  God,  I 
could  yet  endure  my  sorrow.  But  whereat  his 
example  caught  others  after  him  and  disciples  came 
about  him,  I  was  affronted.  Bernard  of  Quintavalle, 
who  loved  me  also,  unbuckled  first  his  shoon. 
Egidius  and  Peter  of  Catane  followed  him.    Sylvester 


act  in       ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI  57 

and  Leo  knotted  soon  the  cord  of  lowliness  about 
them.  Already,  above  twelve  disciples  throng  about 
this  other  Jesus.  But  Christ  was  not  ungentle  to 
Mary  Magdalen.  He  suffered  her  to  spill  her  oint- 
ments at  His  feet. 

Emilia.  Hast  thou  tried  him  ? 
Clare.  Shall    I    hazard   the    bitter   slight   of  his 
forget  fulness?     Nay,  liefer   would   I  think  that  he 
remembei's  me  and  sometimes  yearns  after  me. 

Cecilia.  Thou  wilt  be  reconciled  to  it ! 

Clare.  An  you  had  been  beloved  of  Francis,  you 
would  linger  on,  likewise  disconsolate.  The  flame  of 
charity,  that  glorifies  the  souls  it  wraps,  to  me  his 
lady  had  been  dedicate.  Never  woman  had  known 
so  rapturous  a  love.  Within  the  girdle  of  the  world 
beats  there  such  another  heart  ?  That  heart  was 
privileged  to  me,  my  covenant.  Me  he  would  have 
loved,  as  he  loves  Jesus.  So  dwells  my  fancy  and 
death  is  all  my  craving. 

[She  weeps  and  her  friends  lead  her  away. 
[Enter  Peter,  Bernard,  Egidius. 

Bernard.  [Sweeping.']  Brother  Egidius,  hast  thou 
marked  among  the  faithful  .  .  . 

Egidius.  [Putting  the  seats  in  order.']  The  Lady 
Clare !  What  grievous  woe  crosses  her  counten- 
ance! 

Peter.  Let  her  sanctify  herself  in  God. 

Bernard.  Her  soul  is  meet  to  rest  in  Christ. 

Egidius.  Natheless,  she  is  the  only  being  whom 
our  celestial  Brother  has  brought  to  suffering,  and 
she  alone  has  good  ground  to  curse  him  ! 


58  ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI       act  hi 

Peter.  She  loves  him  always. 

Bernard.  I  marvel  that  our  brother  has  thus  for- 
gotten her. 

Egidius.  Would  you  that  his  heart,  surcharged 
with  charity,  turned  back  to  human  loves  ? 

Bernard.  I  marvel  that  his  spirit,  so  quick,  to 
compassion  and  so  steadfast  therein,  is  not  roused  to 
graciousness  before  her  soul  so  sore  repining  and  a 
great  while  his. 

Peter.  His  mind  all  winds  about  his  God,  nor  is 
there  any  print  of  this  his  fleshly  love,  whose  name 
is  frailty.  [Enter  the  Citizen. 

Citizen.  Greeting,  my  brother !  I  am  come  to 
confess  my  sins. 

Egidius.  Greeting !  but  no  priests  are  we. 

Citizen.  Nay,  verily,  you  are  apostles.  You  pilot 
souls  to  God  ! 

Peter.  Yea,  we  are  the  dogs,  but  not  the  shep- 
herds. 

Citizen.  Your  fashion  of  preaching  the  Gospel 
sets  me  agape  ;  for  your  observance  is  by  deeds. 
Your  habitation  is  in  wooden  hovels,  and  you  beg 
your  victuals.  Behold  the  fruits  of  your  example. 
[He  offers  them  a  purse.] 

Peter.  What  is  thy  drift  ?    A  purse  ? 

Egidius.   We  are  the  lovers  of  our  Lady  Poverty. 

Citizen.  But  my  gifts  are  purposed  for  the  poor. 

Peter.  We  cannot  take  thy  money. 

Citizen.  Devoted  for  men's  welfare  ! 

Peter.  'Twould  foul  our  hands  ! 

Egidius,  To  finger  it  alone  ! 


act  in       ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI  59 

Citizen.  Franois,  your  father,  would  better  compass 
my  intent ! 

Bernard.  O  rich  my  brother,  that  I  might  venture 
to  entreat  thee  .  .  . 

Citizen.  Surely  ! 

Bernard.  I  would  conjure  thee  depart. 

Citizen.  Will  you  hinder  me  from  seeing  Brother 
Francis  ? 

Bernard.  Thou  wilt  set  his  sacred  passion  in  a 
blaze,  and  he,  for  an  atonement,  will  grievously 
mortify  the  flesh. 

Citizen.  II im,  provoked  to  wrath,  a  very  lamb  ! 

Egidius.  Nought  has  he  cursed  upon  this  earth, 
this  lamb,  saving  one  thing,  and  for  a  surety  the  very 
possession  which  thou  bringest.  '[Enter  Francis. 

Citizen.  Behold  him !  I  will  speak  to  him ! 
Greeting,  Brother  Francis. 

Francis    Stranger  and  brother,  greeting  ! 

Citizen.  I  am  a  sinner  ! 

Francis,  And  I,  likewise ! 

Citizen.  Thou  art  a  saint ! 

Francis.  [Laughing.']  Ho,  ho  !  Forgive  me,  but 
thy  fancy  makes  me  merry.  Brothers,  have  you 
heard  ?  I  am  a  saint !  Ho,  ho  !  Hearken,  my 
stranger  brother ;  let  me  but  show  thee  a  Hebrew 
script  and  boast  the  cunning  necromancy  writ  therein ; 
and  thou  wilt  believe,  through  thy  unlearning. 
Whereas  thou  deemest  me  a  saint  ,thou  knowest  not 
the  mark  of  saintliness. 

Citizen.  Nay,  I  knowT  it  and  I  greet  it  in  thee ! 

Francis.  Hast   thou   seen    a    glow-worm   in   the 


60  ST.   FRANCIS  Or  ASSISI       act  hi 

country  when  the  night  is  down  ?  Its  lamp  is  beam- 
ing !  So,  thine  eyes,  accustomed  to  the  glooms  of  our 
time,  have  discovered  a  worm.     It  is  I. 

Citizen.  Thy  words  have  stirred  my  conscience.  I 
am  rich ! 

Francis.  Alas,  poor  man,  I  pity  thee !  Thou  art 
thrall  unto  a  host  of  cares  ! 

Citizen.  I  hoped  to  be  of  profit ! 

Francis.  Christ  has  prompted  thee :  yield  and 
speedily. 

Citizen.  Thy  brothers  have  turned  me  from  my 
purpose. 

Francis.  How  befell  it  thee  ? 

Egidius.  He  charges  us ! 

Peter.  He  dares  ! 

Egidius.  The  mischievous  one  ! 

Francis.  Jesus  was  charged,  but  held  His  peace. 

Peter.  My  brother,  we  have  spoken  according  to 
the  rule. 

Francis.  Excuse  yourselves  and  God  accuses  you, 

Egidius.  It  is  a  hard  thing  thou  sayst. 

Francis.  Thy  unmannerliness  doth  plead  that  he 
is  justified. 

Peter.  We  were  sensible  that  this  fellow  would 
prick  thy  spleen. 

Francis.  [.Effusively.]  And  you  desired  toward  me 
from  a  sin.     Brothers,  your  love  is  at  full  measure. 

Citizen.  I  came  bound  upon  a  Christian  quest. 

Francis.  The  more,  then,  thou  art  welcome  ! 

Citizen.  I  would  give  unto  the  poor. 

Francis.  So  doing,  the  gift  is  God's ! 


act  in       ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI  61 

Citizen.  Do  thou  receive  what  thy  brethren  did 
reject ! 

Francis.  Empty  this  purse  of  thine  within  the 
hands  of  outcasts,  and  angels  athwart  the  clouds  will 
gloiify  thy  name. 

Citizen  'Twere  better  that  alms  were  doled  by 
thy,  not  my  hands. 

Francis.  Wilt  thou  suffer  the  gladness  of  giving, 
the  sight  of  eyes  asparkle  with  gratitude,  to  be 
snatched  from  thee  ?  When  so  poor  a  man  says  to 
thee  :  "  God  recompense  you  !  "  verily,  Heaven  itself 
enregisters  the  debt. 

Citizen.  Were  I  myself  to  portion  this  my  money, 
the  poor  would  flock  to  batter  at  my  door,  and  I 
should  be  constrained  to  give  them  more. 

Francis.  0  profitable  compulsion  ! 

Citizen.  Therefore,  brother,  thou  wilt  not.  .  .  . 

Francis.  Nay  !  it  would  be  mooted  that  we  had 
coffered  something  of  thy  money.  No  longer  may  he 
preach  the  Gospel,  who  fingers  gold. 

Citizen.  Is  that  thy  final  word  ?  So  be  it,  I  and 
my  gold  will  fare  upon  our  way. 

[lie  puts  the  purse  down  on  a  seat. 

Francis.  The  peace  of  the  Lord  go  with  thee. 

[Exit  Citizen. 

Egidius.  This  fellow  was  a  devil,  come  to  tempt 
us. 

Francis.  Verily  then,  the  devil  has  been  robbed. 

Peter.  [Catching  sight  of  the  purse.]  Not  so,  for  his 
purse  is  here. 

Francis.  The   purse !     Handle   it   not ;    but   run 


62  ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSIST       act  ru 

you  and  fetch  him  back  ;  ay,  lay  your  hands  upon 
him  and  fetch  him  back.  He  it  was,  who  brought 
this  unclean  thing  ;  let  him  take  it  away  and 
let  no  one  foul  his  hands  by  it. 

[Exit  all  but  Francis. 

Francis.  0  infidel  gold !  'Tis  thou  that  art  the 
Devil,  the  sly  friend  Beelzebub  and  our  unsleeping 
foe !  The  sins  of  the  world  are  prisoned  in  this 
purse.  It  is  the  bottle  of  the  drunkard  and  the 
gamester's  money-bag.  Unclasp  it  and  all  evils 
would  fly  out,  as  from  Pandora's  box,  to  flood  the 
world.  It  is  the  price  of  iniquity,  the  thirty  silver 
pieces  for  the  death  of  Christ ! 

[Enter  Bernard  and  Egidius,  bringing  back 
the  Citizen. 

Francis.  So  thou  art  here,  base  brother,  who 
defilest  a  place  of  holiness  and  peace  .  .  . 

Citizen.  Thy  comrades  are  rough-handed. 

Francis.  Come,  take  thy  pelf  away. 

Citizen.  An  I  said  thee  nay  ? 

Francis.  I  would  cast  thy  gold  upon  a  dung-hill, 
meet  habitation  for  it. 

Citizen.  Why  dost  thou  scorn  the  ruddy  gold  ? 
Good  is  done  with  it. 

Francis.  Good  is  done  from  the  heart. 

Citizen.  Ay,  but  many  loaves  and  much  raiment, 
much  fuel  and  many  physics,  a  world  of  ease  and 
solace,  lie  herein,  within  my  gold's  capacity. 

Egidius.  He  speaks  sooth ! 

Bernard.  "We  must  acknowledge  it. 

Citizen.  Thy     friends     are     already    persuaded. 


act  in       ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI  63 

Suffer  it  not  that  this  gold  be  fastened  in  my  chests 
again. 

Francis.  Lord,  deliver  me  from  this  temptation 
Come,  my  brethren,  quit  this  froward. 

Citizen.  Stay  !  No  man  I  know  is  like  to  thee. 
Verily  thou  art  God's  servant  and  I  do  yield  to 
thee. 

Francis.  Thou  hast  sorely  vexed  me ;  thou  hast 
constrained  my  brethren  to  use  thee  violently.  My 
brother,  we  crave  thy  pardon. 

Citizen.  Francis,  a  spirit  without  blemish  has 
visited  and  quickened  thee,  and  haply  one  day  I  shall 
return,  into  thy  faith  transfigured  quite. 

Francis.  Thou  knowest  the  pledge  that  I  enjoin 
upon  my  brethren  :  that  all  possessions  without  stint 
be  cast  away  !     To  the  rich  the  way  is  barred  herein. 

Citizen.  Give  me  thy  benison. 

Francis.  Seek  it  with  the  outcasts.  Comfort  a 
beggar  and  his  blessing  will  be  more  fruitful  than  a 
bishop's. 

Citizen.  But  less  fruitful  than  a  saint's. 

Francis.  Thou  wilt  stir  my  mirth  as  merrily  at 
thy  parting  as  at  thy  coming.  Hast  thou  seen  a 
saint  provoked  to  fretfulness  ?  An  odd  saint, 
verily  !  Natheless,  receive  the  blessing  of  the  poor 
little  brother  !  [Exit  Citizen. 

Bernard.  Lo,  the  souls  of  men  are  ripened  to  the 
harvest  at  the  breath  of  thy  words.  Already  I  can 
see  the  aureole  circled  round  thy  brow. 

Francis.  Thou  likewise,  thou  dost  rave  ! 

Bernard.  The  stiff-necked  are  melted  ;  the  hike- 


64  ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI       act  hi 

warm  are  kindled  by  the  brand  of  thy  love.  Thou 
turnest  their  hearts  to  repentance,  and  all  who 
hearken  to  thee  go  their  way  cheered  and  radiant. 
Full  many  I  have  seen  that  mourned  their  sins ! 

Francis.  My  burden  is :  "  Physician,  heal  thy- 
self "  ;  for  I  am  weighed  down  with  grisly  desolation. 

Bernard.  Thou — who  art  desponding  never  ! 

Francis.  He  who  knows  God  must  needs  be  glad- 
some of  heart,  and  melancholy  is  a  grievous  sin. 
Hearken  to  me,  ye  twain.  How  would  you  speak  of 
a  man  who,  having  discovered  a  treasure,  scatters  it 
at  large  to  all  men,  unthinking  of  his  friends  of  early 
days,  unmindful  of  those  who  loved  and  served  him, 
who  comforted  and  sustained  him  ? 

Egidius.  Thy  mind  is  set  upon  redeeming  thy 
father  ? 

Francis.  Would  that  I  might !  But,  friend,  thou 
art  astray !  Grant  it  that  I  had  girded  me  for 
knighthood  and  fared  with  Gentile  to  Apulia,  there 
to  carve  myself  some  share  of  a  dukedom  or  a 
kingdom  ;  should  I  not  after  the  event  be  summoning 
to  my  side  all  who  have  loved  me  and  entreated  me 
gently,  the  while  I  was  a  merchant  ? 

Bernard.  Doubtless! 

Francis.  Verily,  I  am  rich  this  day,  in  that  I 
possess  God.  I  am  mighty,  in  that  I  commit  myself 
into  His  hands,  and  I  am  contrite  of  heart  and  so 
exalted.  The  peace  that  comes  from  within,  and  the 
fullness  of  joy,  are  my  dominion.  Already  room  is 
chartered  for  me  in  the  heavenly  kingdom.  And  here 
am  I  revelling  and  self-pleased,  crowned  with  virtue 


act  [ii       ST.   FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI  65 

and  with  gleefulness,  and  all  forgetful  of  the  past ! 
I  am  sundered  from  the  being  whose  love  gushed 
out  for  me,  who  gave  herself  in  loveliness  and 
innocence,  who  came  that  day  with  comforting  words, 
an  angel  made  flesh,  to  wipe  away  my  shame  from  me. 
Ah,  at  St.  Damian,  I  was  but  a  sorry  thing  !  The 
children  flung  their  stones.  .  .  .  She  stood  before 
me,  stretching  forth  her  hands. 

Bernard.  Yea,  thy  thoughts  are  turned  and  turned 
again  to  Clare !  Let  not  thy  tongue  speak  aught  of 
her  before  the  brethren,  lest  they  be  affronted. 

Francis.  Wherefore  ? 

Egidius.  She  is  the  rose  of  beauty  ! 

Francis.  Is  beauty  a  barrier  to  salvation  ?  Then 
is  the  very  pageantry  of  life  a  snai-e  .  .  .  the  fragrance 
of  flowers  and  the  shadows  of  the  boskage ;  the  hues 
of  fruits  and  the  savour  of  meats ;  the  lustre  of  the 
sun  and  the  lustre  of  the  eye.  Thou,  Bernard,  who 
didst  unbuckle  thy  shoon,  the  first  upon  my  precedent, 
examine  the  Master's  Writ,  and  it  will  teach  thee 
that  our  heart  bestowed  upon  Him  is  not  pent  thereat, 
but  dilates  seraphically.  Loving  Him,  we  reach  to 
loving  all  things.  Was  not  a  disciple  His  well- 
beloved?  My  heart  unchanging  beats  beneath  the 
sackcloth,  and  for  all  time  I  am  our  Lady  Clare's 
betrothed. 

Egidius.  Brother,  thou  fallest  out  of  grace  ! 

Bernard.  Thy  heart  is  clean,  but  will  the  world 
fathom  it  ? 

Francis.  The  world  has  fathomed  nothing;  nay, 
not  the  very  words  of  God.     The  virgin  who  singled 

E 


66  ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI       act  hi 

me  out  for  her  most  gracious  favours  might  have 
chosen  the  governor  of  the  city.  Shall  I  be  churlish 
and  unfaithful  in  the  Name  of  Christ?  She  feared 
no  infamous  tongues,  when  she  did  weep  with  one 
that  was  possessed.  Clare  acknowledged  me  in  the 
face  of  men ;  I  will  acknowledge  her  before  the 
angels.  I  am  the  warden  of  the  shining  path  that 
leads  unto  salvation.  Shall  I  shut  out  the  soul 
that  was  the  half  of  my  soul  ?  She  wept  over  me 
at  St.  Damian ;  at  St.  Mary  of  the  Angels  I  will  pray 
for  her. 

Bernard.  Thou  canst  but  pray. 

Francis.  That  her  fortunes  should  be  my  fortunes, 
as  honourable  spouse.     Such  is  my  desire. 

Egidius.  It  may  not  be  ! 

Bernard.  Thou  canst  not  admit  a  woman  among 
the  brethren ! 

Francis.  The  unattainable  is  a  fabric  embroidered 
by  the  heavenly  spirits  for  their  pastime. 

Bernard.  Brother,  behold  the  stone  thy  feet  hath 
stumbled  on ! 

Francis.  You  are  over-swift  to  judge  me.  Quit 
me  !     I  would  be  alone  with  God, 

[Exeunt  Bernard  and  Egidius. 
[Francis  at  prayer.     Enter  Clare. 

Clare.  Lo,  I  am  here,  come  back  despite  the  call 
of  seemliness  and  wisdom,  spurred  by  an  authority 
unconquerable.  Nor  can  I  endure  the  disorder  that 
swells  within  me.  I  will  speak  unto  this  churl  and 
heap  upon  his  unfaithful  head  the  rebukes  clustered 
in  my  heart.     He,  the  saviour  of  souls,  shall  know 


act  in       ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI  67 

that  mine  is  cast  away  and  brimming  o'er  with  hate 
and  melancholy.  Behold  him  at  his  devotions,  his 
countenance  unclouded,  while  I,  I  am  drooping  in 
despair.  .  .  .  Francis! 

Francis.  Thou  ! 

Clare.  Do  I  tempt  theo?  Shun  me  and  plead 
thy  vows  that  thou  mayst  slip  from  answering  me ! 
Notwithstanding,  thou  wert  mine.  .  .  . 

Francis.  Blessed  be  the  Lord  that  brings  thee 
back.  0  precious  spirit,  thy  heart  is  a  seraph's  and 
thy  face  a  flower.  The  birds  have  lent  their  grace 
to  thee ;  the  limpid  fountains  washed  thee  to  their 
spotlessness ;  thy  heart  glitters  as  a  diamond  and 
Aurora  hath  thy  smile.  How  could  I  shun  thee, 
beloved  ?  Long  did  I  linger  for  thee,  and  cried  to 
God  that  thou  didst  tarry  long. 

Clare.  Is  it  thou,  Francis,  that  speakest  ?  I  hear 
the  tender  words  of  heretofore  and  the  strain  of  the 
troubadour  burgeons  anew  on  the  lips  of  the  eremite. 
Hast  thou  forgotten?  Dost  thou  not  shrink  from 
loveliness  ? 

Francis.  To  glorify  Himself,  God  made  theo 
beautiful.  He  matched  upon  thy  luminous  brow  the 
radiance  of  His  heaven  ;  He  lit  the  glow  within  thine 
eyes  and  lo !  the  stars  have  left  the  firmament.  He 
shed  upon  thee  grace  and  modesty,  that  in  thy 
presence  we  might  contemplate  the  angels. 

Clare.  Thy  voice's  melody  furrows  through  me, 
and  my  spirit  reels  within  me.  My  poet,  I  came  to 
thee  with  cankered  heart  and  mouth  stuffed  with 
upbraidings.  .  .  . 


68  ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI       act  hi 

Francis.  I  am  sore  requited  with  them. 

Clare.  Oh,  Francis,  I  am  stricken  to  the  heart ! 

Francis.  Sweet  soul,  turn  thyself  to  Jesus. 

Clare.  I  turn  towards  thee  ;  I  am  a  woman  only, 
and  I  love  thee. 

Francis.  Martha  and  Mary,  what  were  they  ? 

Clare.  Their  eyes  gazed  upon  Jesus,  they  sat  at 
His  feet;  they  looked  upon  Him  and  did  Him 
service.  Sometimes,  perchance,  they  touched  his 
hands. 

Francis.  There  is  nothing  that  is  like  to  thee,  my 
Lady  Clare ;  neither  so  sweet  unto  my  sight,  nor  so 
precious  to  my  heart. 

Clare.  Thy  lady  of  another  day  ? 

Francis.  My  lady  for  all  time. 

Clare.  What  sayst  thou  ?  Oh,  take  heed  !  Desire 
and  anguish  rive  my  heart,  my  heart  all  gashed  to 
shreds  and  welling  blood.  Say  nought  but  what  is 
true,  nor  beguile  a  fondness  such  as  mine.  I  am 
verily  a  beggar,  and  now  that  God  has  snatched  thee 
from  me,  I  have  nought. 

Francis.  Thy  voice  is  the  appeal  of  the  world 
calling  me  back,  but  the  gift  of  my  soul  has  no 
return  for  ever.  I  am  the  thrall,  enchanted  with  his 
thraldom. 

Clare.  Thy  voice  throws  open  the  portals  of 
heaven,  and  I  embrace  the  yoke  that  crushes  me.  As 
thou  art  God's,  so  I"  am  thine. 

Francis.  Sooner  the  stones  of  these  walls  will  grow 
soft  than  my  heart  be  frosted. 

Clare.  My  will  is  caught  to  flame  and  is  trans- 


act  in       ST.   FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI  69 

figured,  that  I  in  loftier  harmony  may  be  blent  with 
my  beloved. 

Francis.  Neither  fire  nor  sword,  neither  grief  nor 
death,  might  violate  the  tender  cherishment  in  which 
my  God  enwraps  me. 

Clare.  Neither  the  fence  of  the  world  nor  the 
fence  of  my  kindred  could  shut  me  in  from  seeking 
my  beloved. 

Francis.  From  the  tops  of  heaven  down  to  the 
earth,  a  thousand  witching  voices  are  suitors  to  my 
heart. 

Clare.  I  am  deaf  to  the  songs  of  youth  and  I  do 
spurn  my  very  loveliness. 

Francis.  To  love  in  fuller  measure  is  my  passion  ; 
but  I  cannot,  for  I  am  committed  without  stint  to  Love 
itself,  and  Creation  swoons  before  the  face  of  the 
Creator. 

Clare.  kThe  created  thing  is  the  mirror  of  the 
Divine  Graciousness.     Look  therein. 

Francis.  All  things  are  blotted  out  beside  this  Love 
ineffable.  Jesus  alone  could  tell  how  it  came  to  pass 
that  I  enjoy  it. 

Clare.  How  shall  it  come  to  pass  that  I  shall 
enjoy  Francis  ? 

Francis.  The  sun  is  reft  of  light  and  heat ;  the 
teaching  of  the  Cherubim  and  the  hymns  of  the 
Seraphim  are  nought  but  vanities  before  His  heart 
unspeakable. 

Clare.  Beneath  the  potency  of  thy  will,  my  flesh 
is  stilled.  0  Cherub  !  teach  me  thy  wizardry ; 
O  Seraph  !  knead  my  heart  according  to  thy  pleasure. 


70  ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI       act  hi 

Francis.  Couldst  thou  but  taste  the  flame  which 
licks  me  up,  thou  wouldst  take  pity  on  my  burning 
zeal  in  which  all  passions  and  all  consciousness  are 
drowned. 

Clare.  Rebuke  me  not  my  rhapsody.  No  heart 
hath  ever  vanquished  love. 

Francis.  I  have  bartered  all — the  world,  myself 
and  thee,  all,  to  purchase  love.  An  it  were  mine, 
I'd  lay  the  universe  within  the  scales,  that  I  might 
tingle  once  again  with  that  unimaginable  joy  and  be 
nought  but  a  golden  butterfly  beneath  His  sovran 
breath. 

Clare.  No  more  a  lover  and  no  more  a  woman. 
My  soul  shall  writhe  as  metal  in  the  fire,  in  ransom 
of  thy  love.  I  will  be  thine  handmaid  on  the  path  to 
heaven  and  I  will  seek  thee  in  the  heart  of  Jesus, 
brother  Francis,  my  brother. 

Francis.  0  my  sister  !  A  radiant  thought  is  born 
within  me.  Of  old,  we  were  betrothed  according  to 
the  world.  Lot  us  plight  our  faith  anew,  a  faith 
upgathered  for  futurity. 

Clare.  Take  me  for  thy  slave,  that  only  I  may 
see  thee  and  bide  by  thy  side.    Thus  will  be  my  bliss. 

Francis.  Clothed  in  uncouth  raiment  and  with 
naked  feet  ? 

Clare.  Ay,  vestured  in  sackcloth  and  with  nails 
beneath  my  feet. 

Francis.  The  world  is  thy  sanctuary,  and  an  abyss 
severs  us  asunder.  Howbeit,  one  pace  would  surely 
span  it. 

Clare.  Alas !  thou  wilt  strive  forward. 


act  in       ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI  71 

Francis.  But  thou  canst  overtake  me.  Thou  art 
acquainted  with  the  tragic  chronicle  of  Tristram  and  of 
Isolt,  and  of  how  the  knight  did  bring  her,  whom  he 
loved,  in  all  her  beauty,  to  be  the  bride  of  royal  Mark. 
Wilt  thou  that  I  may  pledge  thee  to  the  King  of 
Heaven  ?  Wilt  thou,  O  virgin,  be  dedicate  to  Christ, 
my  Master  paramount  ? 

Clare.  I  am  thine  own :  do  with  me  what  thou 
wilt. 

Francis.  If  thou  declare  thyself  the  votaress  of 
Poverty,  if  thou  don  the  sackcloth  that  I  wear,  over 
thy  loveliness,  and  if  thou  strip  thyself  of  thy 
coronet  of  yellow  hair,  then  I  proclaim  thee  queen, 
and  queen  of  an  eternal  Kingdom. 

Clare.  Give  me  the  mantle  which  shall  make  me 
thine,  and  lay  hold  upon  the  scissors. 

Francis.  Clare,  Clare,  art  thou  fixed  in  thy 
desire  ? 

Clare.  It  is  my  single  and  my  passionate  desire ! 

Francis.  0  sister!  best  beloved  of  all  created 
things ;  mine  eyes  are  dazed  and  hover,  ecstatic,  at 
the  flashing  lamp  of  thy  soul.  The  world,  the  witness 
of  this  transcendent  strife,  would  deem  thee  sacri- 
ficed and  me,  foolhardy ;  but  I,  who  read  within  thy 
heart,  am  not  disquieted.  And  surely  thou  wilt  be 
the  chastest  and  the  most  ardent  of  the  brides  of  Christ, 
and  thou  wilt  love  Him  as  thou  lovest  me  ;  thus  His 
works  shall  be  fulfilled  through  thee.  I  am  the 
beggar  man  of  Jesus ;  be  thou  the  Beggar  Lady. 

Clare.  Thus  I  shall  be  the  mirror  of  thy  soul  and 
the  bride  of  thy  thought. 


72  ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI       act  hi 

Francis.  Thus,  thou  art  dedicate  to  God. 

Clare.  Thus,  I  am  dedicate  to  thee. 

Francis.  For  the  nonce,  thy  voice  hath  still  an 
earthly  stress. 

Clare.  I  shall  be  thy  faithful  echo. 

Francis.  The  heavenly  glory  will  light  upon  thine 
eyelids  and  suffuse  them. 

Clare.  I  will  walk  within  thy  hallowed  shade. 

Francis.  The  betrothed  of  Jesus ! 

Clare.  The  sister  of  Francis ! 

Francis.  Prostrate  thyself  before  this  altar,  the 
emblem  of  thy  triumph,  O  wise  virgin  !  Unfold  thy 
heart  in  righteousness  unto  the  King  of  Glory. 
Make  thy  first  confession  to  thy  heavenly  Lover. 

[He  leads  her  to  the  altar,  where  she  prostrates 
herself.  Clare  prays ;  Francis  rings 
the  bell;  enter  Peter,  Egidius,  Ber- 
nard, Leo  and  others. 

Peter.  "What  passes  here  ? 

Egidius.  What  signifies  this  call  ? 

Leo.  To  what  purpose  are  we  gathered  thus 
together  ? 

Francis.  [Letting  go  the  ro-pe?^  Come,  haste,  my 
brethren  all.  Up,  toll  the  bell  and  light  the  altar ! 
Let  your  hands  blossom  with  candles  and  chant  your 
holiest  hymns !  This  night,  the  Lord  takes  unto 
Himself  a  new  bride  and  the  poor  of  Jesus  have 
found  a  sister. 

Bernard.  Brother  Francis,  what  is  thine  intent  ? 

Francis.  To  tender  unto  God  the  sweetest  lily  of 
the  world. 


act  in       ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI  73 

Egidius.  What,  without  pause  ? 

Francis.  Ay,  forthwith. 

Bernard.  Unto  whom  shall  the  Lady  Clave 
administer  her  vows  ? 

Egidius.  Thou  hast  not  the  authority  of  a  bishop. 

Leo.  There  is  none  present  who  is  priest  or 
deacon. 

Francis.  Neither  was  Jesus. 

Egidius.  The  sacred  canons  .  .  . 

Francis.  Love  knows  no  ordinances. 

Leo.  Beware  the  ban  of  Rome. 

Francis.  I  shall  have  the  well-liking  of  the 
angels. 

Peter.  Surely,  the  novitiate  ? 

Francis.  When  Jesus  manifested  Himself  at 
St.  Damian,  He  sent  me  not  to  con  the  Scriptures. 
He  looked  into  my  heart  and  had  compassion  on  me. 
I  do  unto  others  as  it  has  been  done  unto  me.  I 
have  looked  into  the  heart  of  this  virgin  and  I  have 
seen  its  innocence. 

Bernard.  But,  after  the  investiture,  where  shall 
our  sister's  dwelling  be  ?  She  cannot  continue  with 
us.  Shall  we  be  witnesses  of  a  bride  of  Christ 
straying  haphazard  ? 

Egidius.  Hast  thou  considered  the  wrath  of  Count 
Favorino?  The  father  will  come  to  claim  his 
daughter  back. 

Francis.  Your  wariness  would  win  the  flattery  of 
our  age.  Ah  I  you  are  discreet,  and  your  thought 
girdles  the  event.  One  matter  and  one  only  you 
forget,   for   Jesus   bides   with   us   and   of   a  surety 


74  ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI       act  hi 

watches  o'er  His  bride.  On  our  account  what  shall 
befall?  We  shall  be  soundly  buffeted.  And  what 
of  that?  Full  many  have  already  required  me  to 
adventure  among  the  Moors  and  brave  their  torments. 
So,  to  be  drubbed  will  be  fine  discipline.  I  have 
suffered  your  counsels;  grant  me  now  your  prayers. 
Make  ready  the  shears  and  find  a  habit  becoming  to 
her  state.  Chant,  my  brethren,  chant  the  hymn  of 
the  virgins. 

[During  the  hymn  Francis  goes  up  to  the  altar 
and  prays ;  the  brothers  walk  in  pro- 
cession to  the  door,  carrying  candles. 
They  greet  Clare  in  her  robe,  with  her 
hair  unbound,  and  lead  her  to  the  altar 
and  group  themselves  on  either  side. 
Choir.  Magnificat  anima  mea  Dominum. 

Et  exultavit  spiritus  mens ;  in  Deo,  salvatore 

meo. 
Quia    respexit    humilitatem   ancillre    suae ; 

ecco  enim  ex  hoc 
Beatam  me  dicent  omnes  generationes. 
Francis.  0  wise  virgin,  light  thy  lamp,  for  lo  !  thy 
Bridegroom  cometh.     Be  quick  to  meet  Him. 
Clare.  Behold  me,  I  am  ready  ! 
Francis.  Come ! 

Clare.  Lo  !  I  am  hero  and  my  heart  paces  before 
me.  I  yearn  to  look  upon  Thy  countenance,  albeit  I 
tremble.  0  Lord,  let  Thy  greeting  be  mild  unto  me 
and  receive  me,  according  to  Thy  heavenly  word. 
Strengthen  the  will  of  Thy  servant ;  she  hath  chosen 
the  better  part.     Shed  Thy  loving  kindness  on  her, 


act  in       ST.  FRANCIS  OF   ASSISI  75 

that  she  may  ever  fulfil  Thy  covenant  and  dwell  in 
purity  and  temperance.  Vouchsafe,  0  Lord,  to  make 
my  lamp  unquenchable,  that  I  may  walk  in  gladness 
before  the  face  of  the  Bridegroom  and  with  Him 
enter  the  gates  of  the  heavenly  Kingdom. 

Francis.  Clare  of  Sciffi,  dost  thou  deny  the  world 
and  all  the  bonds  thereof,  dost  thou  deny  the  world 
and  all  the  possessions  thereof  ? 

Clare.  For  the  love  of  Jesus,  I  deny  them.  I  saw 
Him,  I  love  Him  and  I  have  chosen  Him.  I  do 
declare  it. 

Francis.  Come,  0  mine  elect,  and  thou  shalt  be 
the  riches  of  my  heart.  The  King  of  kings  hath 
solicited  thy  beauty.  Abandon  to  the  shears  the 
harvest  of  all  thine  hair.  Come :  the  winter  is  for- 
done; the  turtle  dove  croons  and  blossoming  vines 
puff  out  their  savours.  [He  cuts  off  her  hair  while 
speaking.]  Receive,  0  virgin,  the  symbolic  ring,  that 
yoketh  thee  to  Jesus,  Son  of  the  Almighty  Father. 
Thy  title,  it  shall  be  the  bride  of  the  Most  High. 
Serve  Him  with  faithfulness  and  thou  shalt  receive 
the  crown  imperishable. 

Clare.  I  have  chosen  the  King  to  Whom  the 
angels  minister,  for  my  Bridegroom.  I  have  chosen 
Him,  Whose  loveliness  maketh  dim  the  stars  of 
heaven.  I  cast  mine  eyes  upon  the  fruits  of  my 
desire  ;  my  aspiration  is  within  my  keeping  and  I  am 
blest  with  my  Beloved  through  all  eternity. 
Francis.  Hallelujah  ! 
Brethren.  Hallelujah ! 

[Count  Favorino  and  Lords  enter  violently. 


76  ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI       act  iii 

Favorino.  My  daughter  .  .  .  where  is  my 
daughter  ?  [The  brethren  crowded  in  front  of  the  altar, 
hide  her  from  view.]  These  days,  e'en  ladies  of  gentle 
birth  are  abducted  by  the  monks.  Hey,  hey,  ye 
Franciscans/  devil's  brethren,  answer  me,  you  have 
hid  my  daughter  here,  as  I  know  full  well. 

Francis.  [Making  the  brethren  move  aside.]  Brother 
Count,  behold  thy  daughter ! 

Favorino.  Where,  where  is  she  ? 

Francis.  Before  thine  eyes  ! 

Favorino.  [Leans  forward  and  drags  Clare 
violently  to  him.]  My  daughter  !  with  shorn  hair  and 
clad  in  tatters  !  0  hapless  one  !  They  have  clipped 
thy  comely  locks.  Alas,  poor  witless  one  !  [lie  puts 
her  behind  him.]  And  as  for  thee.  [He  draws  his 
sword.]  Mock  penitent,  fanatic,  I  will  pack  theeofl'  to 
Paradise.  [He  leaps  forward  with  sword  uplifted. 

Clare.  My  father,  it  was  I  who  came ;  it  was  I 
who  .  .  . 

Favorino.  Hold  thy  peace ;  thou  art  possessed. 
These  rascals  have  beguiled  thee  in  thy  purblind 
belief,  and  surely  I  will  visit  it  upon  them.  I  will 
forbear  to  smite  thee,  Francis,  thou  fell  madman,  and 
thou  loathly  beggar.  But  I  will  have  lit  that  the 
hangman's  arm  shall  lift  about  thy  neck  the  cord  that 
belts  thy  waist,  upon  the  public  place.  For  he  who 
abducts  a  noble  woman  is  doomed  to  be  hanged, 
according  to  the  law.  Thou  shalt  bless  with  thy  feet 
ere  long,  thou  poor  little  brother  of  God,  thou  brazen 
miscreant. 

Francis.  Brother  Count,  what    thou  sayst   upon 


act  in       ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI  77 

my  unworthiness  matches  my  estimate ;  but  1  Lave 
acted  in  knightly  wise.  My  lady  divined  the  challenge 
of  Jesus  ;  the  world  was  her  tyrant  and  I  delivered 
her ! 

Favorino.  Thou  seducer ;  'tis  I  who  have  delivered 
her !  I  will  fetch  her  home,  and  on  the  morrow  she 
will  curse  thee  for  her  shaven  tresses.  The  defilement 
of  it! 

Ciare.  My  father,  my  vows  are  taken. 

Favorino.  Thy  vows  ?  The  bishop  only  may  receive 
them !  Who  gave  thee  authority  to  consecrate 
women?  Thou  art  admitted  to  no  Order,  nay,  not 
even  the  Franciscan.  Thou  art  but  an  heretic  and 
frantic,  and  the  stake  shall  be  thy  destiny.  Thou 
pretender  to  sacred  prerogatives,  I  will  likewise 
denounce  thee  to  Rome.  Hold  thyself  ready  to  be 
answerable  before  the  Councils,  charged  with  rape. 

Clare.  My  father,  I  submit  to  you,  because  I  love 
you.  But  I  do  not  sacrifice  a  daughter's  duty,  in 
that  I  give  myself  to  God.  You  yourself,  ere  long, 
will  yield  me  up  my  freedom.  I  will  abide  in  patience 
until  my  heavenly  Bridegroom  shall  move  you  to  His 
will.     Then  I  will  fulfil  my  vows. 

Francis.  Blessed  be  Thou,  O  Lord,  that  Thou  hast 
filled  her  mouth  with  Thy  wisdom ! 

[Favorino  drags  his  daughter  out,  threatening 
Francis. 


curtain. 


ACT  IV 

THE  STIGMATA  (1224) 

(At  St.  Damian;  terrace  of  a  small  garden,  above  the 

hermitage.) 

[Clare  and  Count  Ugolino. 

Ugolino.  Sister,  you  are  sensible  of  the  reverence 
I  hold  towards  Francis  and  yourself.  You  are  twin 
mirrors  of  the  Gospel,  without  spot. 

Claire.  My  lord,  sound  Francis'  praises,  and  I 
would  lend  my  ears  unceasing.  For  myself,  I  have 
no  desert. 

Ugolino.  Your  brows  are  circled  by  the  self-same 
aureole.  The  church  will  hallow  on  its  altars  him'who 
would  be  lowliest — the  Franciscan  and  his  most  wor- 
shipful sister  Clare,  mother  of  the  Ladies  of  Poverty. 

Clare.  The  wreaths  of  Heaven  are  braided  by  the 
angels ! 

Ugolino.  And  bestowed  by  the  Church ! 

Clare.  Twelve  years  I  have  borne  the  habit  of 
Jesus  unfretted  by  disquiet  and  gleefully  withal.  My 
father  wrested  me  from  the  altar,  strewn  with  my 
hair,  and  I  tarried  for  his  consent,  according  to  my 
bond,  that  thereby  I  might  fulfil  my  vows.  He  pitted 
his  strength  against  my  mission,  nor  had  I  further 

79 


80  ST.   FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI        act  iv 

ordeal.  Francis  was  suzerain  of  my  woman's  heart 
and  Francis,  yielding  his  ward,  tendered  it  to  God  ! 

Ugolino.  0  miracle  of  faith  ! 

Clare.  0  miracle  of  love ! 

Ugolino.  It  chanced,  when  Bernadone  knotted  the 
cord  of  lowliness  about  him,  that  dreamers  of  evil 
dreams,  new-fangled  blasphemers  and  false  penitents 
infested  Italy,  confounding  the  people's  conscience. 
These  owls  were  scattered  by  a  shaft  of  brilliant  light 
and,  by  the  virtue  of  a  single  man,  the  heresy,  despoil- 
ing the  south  of  France,  is  stamped  from  our  soil. 

Clare.  My  lord,  full  well  I  know  it. 

Ugolino.  If  I  hymn  the  glory  of  Francis  thus,  to 
observe  whose  precedent  has  sometime  been  my 
aspiration,  so  much  I  take  account  of  him,  it  is  to  give 
you  ample  earnest  of  my  feelings,  ere  I  entreat  your 
succour. 

Clare.  My  succour  .  .  .  lord  ? 

Ugolino.  I  would  have  you  sway  his  meek 
stubbornness. 

Clare.  In  his  presence,  I  am  nought  but  a  smiling 
"  Amen." 

Ugolino.  It  is  at  my  bidding  that  you  intervene. 

Clare.  'Twixt  God  and  Francis  ? 

Ugolino.  'Twixt  Francis  and  Rome ! 

Clare.  He  is  before  the  Pope  at  this  very  hour, 
and  is  to  receive  his  Orders. 

Ugolino.  The  saints  are  shy  of  governance  and 
chiefest,  the  people's  saints.  Suffer  me  to  urge  a  gall- 
ing service,  experience's  against  the  visionary's  plea. 
Consider  the  Church,  how  at  its  pinnacle  there  is  the 


act  iv       ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI  81 

monarch.  The  pomp  of  the  Ctesars  has  been  the 
immemorial  heritage  of  the  Pope  ;  he  is  the  paramount 
of  an  earthly  kingdom,  with  an  army,  with  a  court, 
with  stewards  and  with  minions.  For  myself,  I  dwell 
within  a  palace  and  am  of  princely  station.  The 
Christian  who  shoiild  see  us  fare  in  company,  Brother 
Francis,  clothed  in  sackcloth,  lowly  and  with  naked 
feet,  Ugolino  the  cardinal,  clothed  in  purple,  what 
would  he  say?  That  one  of  the  twain  was  surely 
mad !  Can  the  same  doctrine  face  these  contrary 
ways? 

Clare.  The  rule  of  my  Order  forbids  me  cast 
a  judgment. 

Ugolino.  But  the  vulgar  judge  and  censure. 
Poverty  full-measured  is  beyond  our  practice  and  the 
Franciscans  throw  all  the  other  members  of  the 
Church  into  disrepute. 

Clare.  Howbeit,  Innocent  has  deigned  his 
blessing. 

Ugolino.  By  word  of  mouth. 

Clare.  Is  the  Pope's  consent  required,  to  follow 
after  Jesus? 

Ugolino.  Verily,  thus  is  the  argument  of  the 
heretics !  For  men  I  grant  you  a  rigorous  poverty. 
That  were  no  hurt,  for  they  can  work  and  they  can 
beg.  But  women,  roofless  and  hungered ;  that  were 
folly. 

Clare.  Howbeit,  so  it  is ! 

Ugolino.  When  Francis  shall  turn  his  face  back 
unto  God,  he  will,  perforce,  awake  from  this  his 
rapturous  trance. 

F 


82  ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI        act  tv 

Clare.  What  other  testimony  is  more  acceptable 
to  heaven  than  to  contemn  the  world  and  all  its 
works  ?  Caught  in  the  flood  of  the  age,  how  shall  we 
magnify  the  glory  of  Paradise  ?  Except  by  the  fruits 
of  example  how  shall  we  conjure  men  to  lose  the 
world?  Example  is  the  crucible  of  admonishment; 
by  example  are  men  persuaded  and  example  lures 
them  to  the  fold.  He  who  would  preach,  let  him 
first  declare  :     "  Do  as  I  am  doing  !     Be  as  I  am  !  " 

Ugolino.  Poverty.  .  .  . 

Clare.  Poverty  is  virtue's  nurse  and  neighbours 
perfection.  The  pilgrim,  lifted  of  his  load,  scales  the 
craggy  steep — untroubled  ! 

Ugolino.  On  the  shores  of  a  lake,  in  Galilee, 
simple  fisher-folk  visioned  the  coming  of  peace  upon 
earth,  poem  of  their  desire,  flushed  horizon  of  their 
hopes.  The  work  of  Christ  is  wrought  by  unity  and 
power.  To  weld  and  dominate  the  world,  is  the 
world's  salvation.  Unity,  unity,  the  universe  travails 
to  achieve  it,  all  men  ungathered  to  the  same  hand, 
all  owning  fealty.  Your  hero's  impositions  have  no 
toughness;  Francis  .  .  . 

Clare.  Fx\ancis  is  bondservant  to  Jesus ! 

Ugolino.  All  the  fantastics  are  suitors  to  the 
same.  But  to  the  Church  must  they  bow  the  knee. 
I  am  resolved  to  grant  you  a  convent. 

Clare.  Possession  is  an  earnest  of  apology.  Thus 
do  men  plead  the  laws  and  fall  to  the  arbitrament  of 
war,  in  the  name  of  Him  Who  had  not  the  veriest 
hole  wherein  to  lay  Him  down.  Poverty  is  the  sister 
of  the  heavenly  freedom.     She  is  the  way  of  salvation 


act  iv       ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI  83 

made  straight.  She  stood  !>y  the  manger  and 
crouched  by  the  tomb.  She  soared  to  Heaven  with 
her  transcendent  consort ! 

Ugolino.  Sister  Clare,  it  must  be  that  you  con- 
sent to  my  determinance  and  that  your  lips  should 
utter  it ! 

Clare.  My  Lord,  suffer  me  to  hold  my  peace ! 

Ugolino.  Nay,  have  your  say. 

Clare.  Deem  you  not  that  the  bride  of  the  spirit 
is  the  peer  of  the  bride  of  the  flesh  in  fidelity  and 
chastity ;  that  faith  sunk  in  Jesus  Christ  is  as  holy  as 
the  marriage  oath  ?    Answer  me,  my  lord,  is  it  not  so  ? 

Ugolino.  I  am  mazed  by  your  words ! 

Clare.  [With  much  violence.']  Your  own  do  turn 
me  sick.  Will  you,  0  bishop- cardinal,  prick  me  to 
adultery  ? 

Ugolino.  Forget  you  my  estate  and  yours  ? 

Clare.  "lis  you  yourself  forget  it,  lord !  Her, 
who  sacrificed  her  all,  her  beauty  and  her  youth,  her 
hopes  of  love  and  hearth,  to  be  bride  unto  a  spirit,  to 
be  mated  to  an  aspiration,  her  you  seek  to  inveigle 
into  temptation.  You  are  importuned  of  the  Devil 
and  altered  to  a  base  seducer.  Are  you  so  bold  as  to 
require  of  Sister  Clare  the  betrayal  of  Francis' 
apostolate  ? 

Ugolino.  How  she  rails  and  runs  counter  to 
common  dignity ! 

Clare.  Ah,  you  have  galled  me  sore,  where  alone 
the  hurt  may  touch  me !  To  twist  me  to  your 
purpose  against  that  being  precious  in  my  sight, 
exalted,  and  next  divinity,  of  whom  I  am  the  mirror, 


84  ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI        act  iv 

the  disciple!  Oh,  it  were  a  vile  contriving!  His 
cause,  forsooth,  outvies  your  own  ;  but  were  he  amiss, 
yet  would  I  follow  him  infatuate. 

Ugolino.  I  hold  you  reverently — my  warrant  of  it 
— that  I  am  patient  to  your  wrath.  Howbeit,  there 
will  come  a  day,  peradventure  near  at  hand,  when 
Francis  will  pass  into  his  rest.  Whom  then  will  you 
obey? 

Clare.  Him,  him  always,  dead  or  living  ! 

Ugolino.  You  are,  my  sister  .  .  . 

Clare.  I  am  a  Franciscan. 

Ugolino.  And  I  had  hoped  to  pair  the  Poor  Clares 
with  Dominic's  new-founded  Order ! 

Clare.  [With  irony.]  Likewise  he  is  minded  to 
dominate  the  world,  for  its  salvation. 

Ugolino.  Dominic  is  a  worthy  compeer  to  Francis. 

Clare.  I  am  a  woman  who  loves,  no  deliberating 
justicer. 

Ugolino.  I  go,  sore  lamenting  this  our  con- 
ference.  .  .  . 

Clare.  My  lord,  you  leave  me  drowned  in  melan- 
choly. Like  as  the  birds  trill  the  praises  of  God  in 
their  fashion,  so  the  longing  of  hearts  is  to  freedom, 
for  the  better  loving  of  God. 

Ugolino.  I  deemed  I  spoke  unto  a  nun. 
Clare.  Nay,  I  am  but  a  woman  who  loves. 
Ugolino.  Farewell,  my  sister. 

[Exit  Ugolino.     Clare  follows  him  at   a 

distance. 
[Enter  the  Sisters  Cecilia,  Giovanna,  Monica 
and  Emilia. 


act  iv       ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI  85 

Cecilia.  The  Cardinal  has  departed  with  shadowed 
countenance. 

Emilia.  And  sister  Claire  wears  her  frowning 
mask. 

Monica.  "What  has  befallen  ? 

Giovanna.   You  prying  jades  ! 

Emilia.  Sooth,  is  not  this  the  hour  of  relaxation  ? 

Cecilia.  There  is  nought  can  grieve  our  mother, 
so  much  as  to  contravene  our  precepts. 

Emilia.  His  Eminence  holds  no  colour  with 
poverty. 

Monica.  [Quoting.]  "  The  sisters  shall  have  no 
appurtenances,  neither  house  .  .  ." 

[Enter  Clare. 

Cecilia.  Greeting,  mother ! 

Clare.  Dear  sisters,  greeting  ! 

Giovanna.  "We  are  going  to  water  the  flowers. 

[Exit,  with  one  of  the  Sisters. 

Emilia.  Record  to  us  some  exploit  of  our  founder 
meet  for  remembrance. 

Clare.  Even  now,  he  entreats  an  indulgence  of 
the  Pope,  on  like  terms  with  that  beyond  the  seas — 
pardon  for  all  transgressions. 

Monica.  Mother,  relate  to  us  how  he  left  the  camp 
of  the  crusaders  before  Damietta  and  had  audience 
with  the  Sultan. 

Clare.  Another  time  !  Grievous  things  have  come 
to  pass  within  the  city. 

Cecilia.  Mother,  tell  us  of  these  tidings. 

Clare.  There  is  dissension  'twixt  the  Bishop  and 
the  Governor. 


86  ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI        act  iv 

Monica.  [Archly.]  And  the  Bishop  has  excom- 
municated his  adversary. 

Clare.  Yea,  alas,  and  the  Governor  in  turn  has 
banned  the  exchange  of  merchandise  and  the  drafting 
of  any  deed  with  the  Church  folk.  But  the  twain 
have  referred  the  matter  to  the  arbitrament  of  our 
father. 

[Enter  Francis.      The  Sisleis  seeing  him, 
slip  quietly  away. 

Clare.  Brother! 

Francis.  Fair  sister ! 

Clare.  What  bringest  thou  from  Rome? 

Francis.  The  palm  of  victory  exultant.  Poverty 
is  vanquisher  and  I  bring  a  plenary  indulgence ! 
Whosoever  shall  come  to  the  Portiuncula,  shall 
receive  absolution  upon  condition  that  he  confess  his 
sins,  without  dole  and  without  offering  save  penitence 
alone,  ay,  and  without  a  groat,  without  a  groat. 

Clare.  This  indulgence  matches  that  of  the  crusade. 
Thou  hast  doughtily  prevailed. 

Francis.  It  was  the  will  of  Jesus.  The  barons  who 
yet  withstood  us,  have  yielded.  The  villeins  are  set 
free  throughout  the  land. 

Clare.  Thou  hast  tendered  freedom  to  the  land  of 
thy  birth. 

Francis.  The  lord  of  Gubbio  alone  is  stubborn  yet. 

Clare.  He  whom  they  dub  "  The  Wolf "  on  the 
score  of  his  brutishness — a  man  fell-hearted. 

Francis.  We  must  despair  of  no  man's  salvation. 
But  for  my  pride,  I  should  have  won  the  Sultan  for 
my  convert. 


act  iv       ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI  87 

Clare.  Thy  pride,  thou  poor  little  brother  !  Dost 
thou  mock  rue  ? 

Francis.  Alas,  hast  thou  seen  perchance  the  herald 
of  a  mighty  prince;  how  ho  will  strut  and  preen 
himself,  an  he  were,  in  his  conceit,  the  very  prince 
himself?  The  sackcloth  of  the  monk  smothers  not 
vanity,  and  the  ambassador  of  Christ  oft  arrogates 
unto  his  paltry  self  the  semblance  of  the  Divine 
Master.  The  Sultan  graciously  inclined  himself  to 
my  discourse,  but  pride  did  make  me  giddy.  I  spoke 
in  the  name  of  Jesus  and  cleped  Mahomet  knavish 
and  a  cheat.  Whereat  he  constrained  me  hold  my 
peace. 

Clare.  The  sons  of  Dominic  might  profit  by  thy 
words. 

Francis.  Surely,  they  who  bring  affliction  on  the 
Lamb  are  piteous. 

Clare.     Wilt  thou  censure  them  ? 

Francis.  To  stamp  the  body  of  the  soul  with 
tribulation  is  unlawful  in  the  sight  of  Christ ;  the 
martyr  for  us  all.  I  meditate  a  gathering  of  ou 
brothers  and  our  sisters  in  this  place  and  I  am 
minded  this  day  to  sup  with  my  kindred  and  take  the 
headship  of  my  Hound  Table. 

Clare.  That  were  gladness  for  all ;  but  we  have 
no  provender. 

Francis.  Jesus  will  provide. 

[Enter  the   Brethren  ;    Bernard,  Egidius, 
Peter,  Leo,  Angelo  and  others. 

Francis.   My  sheep,  my  sheep  .  .  .  Bernard  .  .  . 


88  ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI        act  iv 

Egidius  .  .  .  Peter  .  .  .  Leo.  [He  embraces  them 
and  goes  to  Angelo.]  Wherefore  art  thou  cast 
down? 

Angelo.  My  father,  I  have  sinned. 

Francis.  Leave  thy  discomfort  inward  'twixt  thy- 
self and  God.  Be  gladsome  here  before  me  and 
thy  brethren.  What  shall  the  men  of  the  age  report 
of  us,  an  they  see  Christ's  children  fretful  and 
overcast  ? 

Angelo.  The  Devil  .  .  . 

Francis.  Blitheness  of  heart  will  hunt  him  away ! 
Are  we  the  disinherited  ?  Nay  laugh  and  be  merry ! 
Behold  brother  Juniper ;  his  lively  fancy  doth  vouch 
how  comfortable  is  the  way  of  salvation.  The  artist 
paints  the  picture  of  the  Madonna  with  what  loveli- 
ness he  may.  The  servant  of  God  is  like  unto  a 
painting ;  to  magnify  Jesus  is  his  bounden  task. 

[A  noise  without. 

[The  Count  of  Gubbio  enters  aggressively. 

Count.  So,  I  see  thee,  thou  fantastic  dreamer, 
subverter  of  lay  privileges,  deliverer  of  the  villeins  in 
the  name  of  Jesus  Christ !  Knowest  thou  my  name  ? 
"The  Wolf,"  I  am  called.  Myself,  alone,  have 
thwarted  thy  follies ;  yea,  in  all  Umbria,  I  alone 
have  kept  my  villeins  stiff  in  bondage. 

Francis.  Brother  Count  .  .  . 

Count.  I  am  come  to  wrin  a  wager ;  for  I  have 
sworn  to  blaspheme  Jesus  and  before  thy  face. 
'Twill  be  right  merry  to  see  thy  wry  countenance. 

Francis.  Brother  wolf,  I  pity  thee  .  .  . 


act  iv       ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI  89 

Count.  Thou  pitiest  mo  ? 

Francis.  The  man  hath  suffered  much,  who  is 
turned  into  a  wolf. 

Count.  Who  hath  told  thee?  What  knowest 
thou? 

Francis.  Lo,  I  can  read  within  thine  heart. 

Count.  It  is  o'erflooded  with  hatred  against  God. 

Francis.  Brother  wolf,  thou  dost  delude  thyself. 

Count.  Fetch  me  a  crucifix,  a  relic.  Show  me 
some  hallowed  gewgaw,  thou  monk,  and  I  will  blas- 
pheme with  the  very  damned. 

Francis.  [His  arms  in  the  shape  of  a  cross  on  his 
breast.]     Behold ! 

Count.  What  is  thy  drift  ? 

Francis.  Behold  the  token  thou  solicitest. 

Count.  A  true  cross  is  my  meaning. 

Francis.  The  Christian  spreading  his  two  arms, 
spreads  the  truest. 

Count.  Affectioned  fellow ! 

Francis.  Brother  wolf,  brother  wolf ;  the  arms  of 
Jesus  yearn  to  thee ;  He  knoweth  thy  soul's  injury 
and  that  another  in  thy  stead,  had  sunk  yet  deeper. 

Count.  How  now,  what  knowest  thou  concerning 
me? 

Francis.  Grief  hath  stricken  thee  evil  of  heart. 

Count.  Wherefore  has  thy  God  filched  me  of  my 
child,  my  son,  my  well-beloved,  hope  of  my  ancient 
lineage  ?  Prayers  I  have  yielded  up,  vows  and  offer- 
ings I  have  paid ;  my  life  I  would  have  forfeited  and 
now  he  .  .  . 

Francis.  Sojourns  in  Heaven,  with  the  angels! 


90  ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI       act  iv 

Count.  I  am  no  believer  in  thy  heaven. 

Francis.  Thou  weepest ;  therefore  thou  believest. 

Count.  Distracted  loon ! 

Francis.  He  was  goodly  and  gentle. 

Count.  A  very  Child  Jesus. 

Francis.  He  would  fold  his  little  hands  to  pray. 

Count.  [Moved.]     Ah! 

Francis.  [Embracing  him]  Ah,  I  am  the  partner 
of  thy  sorrow,  a  father's  sorrow,  witness  of  the  dying 
of  his  son. 

[Francis  weeps. 

Count.  Thou  weepest !  Out  of  my  rage  and  rny 
distemperature,  I  have  done  evilly. 

Francis.  But  thy  child  on  high  hath  prayed  for 
thee  and,  poor  wolf,  poor  brother,  thou  art  forgiven  ! 

Count.  Thou  hast  bestowed  thy  tears  upon  my  son. 
I  am  beholden  to  thee ! 

Francis.  Seeing  him  once  again  in  Heaven,  what 
gladness  is  in  store  for  thee ! 

Count.  Alas,  that  I  might  trust  it ! 

Francis.  0  hapless  father,  hearken  to  thy  love. 
Love  holds  all  truth  within  its  bourn.  Dogmas, 
theories,  testimonies,  words,  all  are  but  the  clamour 
of  illusion.  Hearken  to  the  oracle  that  cannot  err ; 
let  the  heart  speak. 

Count.  Verily  the  comforter,  his  name  is  saintliness. 
Perchance  thou  art  a  wizard.  0  being,  fantastical  and 
gentle,  thy  hand  doth  rest  upon  my  rankling  sore  and 
thou  hast  eased  me. 

Francis.  Nay,  this  is  no  saintliness  or  wizardry. 
Within  the  deeps  of  thy  heart  I  saw  the  innocent 


act  iv       ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI  91 

smile  of  him  thou  mournest.     The  spirit  of  thy  child 
hath  spoken  through  tho  accents  of  thy  voice. 

Count.  Wilt  thou  that  I  grant  thee  and  thy 
brethren  an  estate  or  vineyard  ? 

Francis.  Rather  fulfil  the  supplication  of  thy 
beloved  son. 

Count.  And  that? 

Francis.  Had  he  lived,  he  doubtless  had  achieved 
renown.  It  is  the  bitterness  of  those  who  die  un- 
timely, to  have  done  no  flaming  or  imperious  deeds 
and  whose  memory  leaves  no  trail  behind. 

Count.  Alas,  I  cannot  fashion  it  that  he  should 
have  honour. 

Francis.  Ponder  awhile.  Devise  some  enterprise 
wherein  to  steep  his  name. 

Count.  I  offer  thee  to  raise  a  convent. 

Francis.  Nay,  nay,  find  else  acceptable  to  God. 

Count.  It  is  well !  To  shrine  the  memory  of 
Romuald  my  son,  I  do  renounce  my  every  privilege. 
I,  the  wolf,  set  free  my  villeins  in  his  name. 

All.  .  .  .  Huzza  for  the  Count ! 

Francis.  Brethren,  he  who  shall  ease  the  heart,  he 
verily  is  the  saint.  This  hour  the  Count  has  granted 
freedom  unto  the  thousands  of  his  bondmen  ;  there- 
fore he  is  our  overlord.  Prostrate  yourselves  before 
him,  accornplisher  of  the  works  of  Jesus.  [All  the 
Franciscans  kneel ;  to  the  Count.]  Lay  thy  hands 
upon  them  and  upon  me ! 

Count.  Oh  Francis !     [lie  raises  him.] 
Francis.  This  hour,  the  fullness  of   a  boundless 
grace  lights  upon  thy  head.     The  brows  of  thy  son  are 


92  ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI        act  iv 

garlanded  and  the  Child  Jesus  Himself  plants  His 
kiss  upon  thy  child. 

Count.   [Embracing  him.]  Saint  Francis ! 

[Francis  accovijmnieshim  and  the  Franciscans 
arise  and  make  a  stir  as  Francis  comes 
back  again.     Exit  Count. 

Bernard.  \To  Francis.]  A  woman  begs  alms  and 
we  have  nought  to  give, 

Francis.  The  candle-sticks  and  altar-cloth  ? 

Egidius.  The  chapel  has  been  stripped  entire. 

Bernard.  This  woman  is  mother  to  one  of  thy 
sons — Rufus. 

Francis.  A  Franciscan's  mother?  It  behoves  us  give. 
Ah,  the  New  Testament  which  we  use  for  matins. 

Peter.  The  sole  book  remaining  to  us. 

Francis.  Is  not  the  law  writ  within  our  hearts? 
The  proper  reading  of  the  Gospel  is  the  exercising  of 
it.     So,  I  bid  you  give  ! 

[Enter  the  Governor. 

Francis.  Sir ! 

Governor.  Brother  Francis,  I  have  appointed  thee 
my  arbiter  and  thy  determinance  shall  bear  the 
sanction  of  the  law.  Hearken !  The  bishop  hath 
wrought  me  mischief. 

Francis.  Oh ! 

Governor.  Being  he  is  a  churchman,  he  doth  presume 
he  will  overawe  thee.  But  thou,  thou  art  incarnate 
justice.  Were  I  the  offender,  would  I  dare  to  come 
into  thy  presence  ? 

Francis.  Albeit  Guido's  station  is  of  so  singular  a 
consequence,  thou   art   the    mirror   of   the   citizens. 


act  iv        ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI  93 

Verily,  it  is  a  match  'twixt  the  body  and  the  soul.     I 
am  sorrowful  for  thee,  beloved  city. 

[Enter  Bishop  Guido. 
Francis.  [Going  up  to  Mm.]  Good,  my  lord  1 
Bishop.  This  day  I  am  no  lord  of  thine.     I  would 
that  thou  solve  my  disputation  with  the  Governor. 

Francis.  Lord  Bishop!  [Bows.]  Your  Excellence ! 
[Bows  to  Governor.]  I  sore  lament  this  the  broil 
between  you  and  I  am  moved  to  sharp  perplexity. 
Inasmuch  as  I  am  Christian,  I  reverence  the  Bishop  ; 
inasmuch  as  citizen,  honour  befits  the  Governor. 
Furthermore,' pleading  [To  the  Bishop]  that  thou,  the 
head,  [To  the  Governor]  and  thou,  the  arras,  tarry 
not  to  make  your  peace  without  more  debate,  I  do 
declare  the  wishes  of  the  people  of  Assisi.  [To  the 
Bishop.]  Dost  thou  entertain  aught  of  hatred  against 
him? 

Bishop.  Nay,  but  I  was  affronted.  .  .  . 

Francis.  In  your  heart,  already  you  have  forgiven. 
[To  the  Governor]  Dost  thou  covet  the  prelate's 
death  ? 

Governor.  Heaven  forfend  !  Let  him  but  acknow- 
ledge that  he  errs. 

Francis.  [^4si(Ze.]  They  distract  the  city,  who  might 
smooth  it  at  a  word.  .  .  . 

Bishop.  I  cannot  slough  my  ceremony. 

Governor.  Nor  I,  my  state  as  foremost  citizen. 

Francis.  Doubtless !  Therefore  I  will  deliver 
judgment. 

Governor.  Good  brother,  thou  art  blind  as  to  what 
this  occasion  portends. 


94  ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI       act  iv 

Francis.  It  doth  concern  the  quiet  of  Assisi.  Reckon 
it  not  that  I,  poor  wretch,  can  estimate  your  several 
plaints.  [In  a  lohisper  to  the  Bisnor]  He  doth  con- 
fess his  charge.  He  declared  it  on  his  coming.  [To 
the  Governor]  He  doth  allow  his  testiness.  Brawling, 
my  lords,  would  belittle  you,  whereas  quick  harmony 
will  pluck  your  dignity  into  security.  Forgive,  forth- 
with, the  twain  of  you,  that  none  may  know  on  which 
the  wrong  is  fathered.  [As  if  both  had  consented.'] 
Blessed  be  Jesus,  for  the  sake  of  those  who  forgive, 
in  the  love  of  Thy  Name,  for  the  sake  of  those  who 
endure  sorrow  and  affliction.  How  excellent  are  the 
peaceful ;  from  Thy  hands,  0  Most  High,  they  shall 
receive  the  crown  of  righteousness. 

Governor.  [Much  moved.']  Verily,  thou  art  for- 
given, lord  Bishop.  Behold  me,  steeled  to  every  hap, 
for  love  of  Jesus  and  His  servant  Francis. 

Bishop.  [Coming  forward.]  Established  in  my 
supremacy,  it  beseems  me  to  be  meek.  In  that  my 
disposition  is  of  so  mettlesome  a  quality,  I  crave  thy 
pardon,  Excellency. 

[The  Bishop  and  Governor  embrace. 

Francis.  Go,  carry  the  tidings  of  this  your  amity 
unto  the  city. 

Bishop.  Francis,  thou  art  gathered  unto  them  God 
smiles  upon. 

Francis.  Nay,  but  you  would  have  reconciled  your- 
selves without  me. 

Governor.  0  blessed  lowliness  ! 

[Exit  Bishop  and  Governor. 

Francis.  [Looking  up  to  the  sky.]  Behold  the  lark 


act  iv       ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI  95 

poised  over  us,  that  wears  the  monkish  cowl,  her 
unassuming  livery  of  feathers,  hued  of  earth ;  her 
sustenance,  the  casual  grains  picked  from  the  dust. 
But  lo,  my  brethren,  how  she  chirrups  in  the  firma- 
ment !     Thus  is  our  scripture. 

Bernard.  [To  Francis.]   Art  thou  hungered? 

Egidius.  An  brother  Juniper  bring  us  not  to 
eat.  .  .  . 

Francis.  Twelve  years  have  slipped  us  by,  nor  is 
any  brother  dead  of  hunger. 

Axgelo.     An  it  please  thee,  I  will  go  beg. 

Francis.  Hearken  to  me :  the  privilege  of  need  is 
just,  but  labour  hath  its  obligation.  Go  into  the 
fields  and  be  numbered  with  the  harvesters.  Sharing 
their  labours,  you  shall  share  their  victuals.  Hew 
wood  and  carry  water  in  the  towns.  Earn  your  bread 
and  do  not  beg  it,  saving  in  the  last  extremity.  [To 
A  Brother.]  Young  brother,  art  thou  minded  to 
speak  to  me  ? 

Brother.  To  have  a  psalter  would  be  comfort  to  me. 

Francis.  Ef  tsoons,  thou  wouldst  a  breviary.  Thou 
wilt  sit  like  to  a  prelate  in  his  chair,  and  say  :  "  Fetch 
me  my  book  of  hours."  It  is  enjoined  upon  the  true 
Franciscan  to  eschew  commodities.  Behold  the  true 
breviary — lowliness. 

[lie  picks  up  a  handful  of  earth  and  nibs  the 
Brother's  head  with  it. 

[Enter  Juniper  laden  with  loaves. 

Francis.  I  have  well  said.  Who  gave  the  bread 
in  such  abundant  measure  ? 

Juniper.  This  forenoon,  in  the  market,  a  peasant 


96  ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI       act  iv 

sought  one  to  knock  his  walnuts  down  and  many  a  man 
has  broke  his  neck  already,  so  lofty  is  the  tree.  The 
task  that  is  shunned  by  all,  is  meet  for  a  Franciscan. 
Here  is  bread  for  all. 

Francis.  Little  brothers,  this  example  profits  us. 
Earn  your  bread,  each  one,  by  the  sweat  of  your 
brow.  [Enter  Clare  and  the  Poor  Clares. 

Francis.  'Tis  passing  sweet  to  dwell  in  company 
and  brotherhood. 

Bernard.  Father,  bless  our  bread,  for  we  are 
hungered. 

Francis.  Bread  that  is  fruit  of  toil,  is  consecrate. 
Eat,  eat,  my  brethren  and  bethink  you  of  the  wonder 
of  the  grain,  of  the  seed  cast  within  the  ground, 
that  lifts  its  head  anon  upon  a  golden  stem.  Likewise 
our  soul,  that  lurks  within  the  body,  shoots  to 
the  ear,  ripened  to  the  heavenly  harvesting. 

Clare.  I  entreat  thee,  Francis,  take  of  this 
bread. 

Francis.  The  rich  do  greatly  languish  after  music 
at  their  banquetings  and  I,  my  brethren,  will  play 
the  troubadour.  Lend  ear  unto  my  strain,  hymned 
to  the  glory  of  created  things. 

[Francis  sings :] 
0  Most  High,  Almighty,  good  Lord  God,  unto  Thee 

praise,  glory,  honour  and  all  adoration  ! 
O  Most  High,  they  are  meet  for  Thee  alone,  and  no 

man  is  worthy  to  utter  Thy  Name. 
Praised  be  my  Lord  God  with  all  His  creatures ;  and 

chief  est  my  brother  the  sun,  that  settest  the  day 


act  iv       ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI  97 

and   settest   the   light   thereof.     Comely   is   he 
and    excellent    with    radiancy    and    splundour. 
0  Lord,  he  is  Thy  token  unto  us ! 
Praised  be  my  Lord  for  my  sister  the  moon  and  for 
the  stars;   the  which    He   hath   sealed   in   the 
firmament ;    luminous  and  tender   and   full   of 
comeliness. 
Praised  be  my  Lord  for  my  brother  the  wind,  for  air 
and  cloud,  the  sky  and  the  tranquillity  thereof 
and  all  weathers ;  by  the  which  Thou  upholdest 
all  creatures. 
Praised  be  my  Lord  for  my  sister  water,  the  which  is 
serviceable  unto  us  and  lowly  and  delicate  and 
clean. 
Praised  be  my  Lord  for   my   brother   the   fire;  by 
the  which  Thou   lightest   the   darkness   of  the 
night ;  august  is  he  and  joyful  and  sturdy  and 
valorous. 
Praised  be  my  Lord  for  my  sister  the   earth,   that 
doth  nurture  and  cherish  us  and  doth  gather  us 
the  fruits  thereof,  even  to  overflowing. 

[Francis  begins  to  fall  into  an  ecstasy. 
O  Most  High,  Almighty,  good  Lord  God,  unto  Thee 
praise,  glory,  honour  and  all  veneration. 

[Francis  remains  still  and  transfigured.  All 
the  Franciscans  and  Poor  Clares, 
seeing  their  father  rapt,  rise  and  go  out 
in  meditative  silence.  Clare  alone 
remaiiis. 
Francis.  [Coming  to  from  his  ecstasy  and  looking 
about  him.]   Where  are  my  brethren  ? 

o 


98  ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI       act  iv 

Clare.  They  did  see  that  Jesus  spoke  to  thee  and 
out  of  reverence  withdrew. 

Francis.  Verily  I  am  self-doting  and  drowned 
in  inexpressive  rapture,  communing  with  my  gentle 
Saviour  and  my  memory  plays  truant  to  my  family 
flocking  about  me  !  They  every  one  behold  this  my 
trance,  wherein  they  have  no  lot  and  justly  rate 
me,  girdled  overdose  with  heaven's  grace.  Yea,  such 
imaginings  haply  may  daunt  their  gladness.  But 
who  may  front  the  magic  of  such  ravishment,  the 
incorporate  majesty  of  such  aspiration,  that  hath  no 
name  saving  in  eternity. 

Clare.  If  thy  Lord  doth  summon  thee,  how  shalt 
thou  withstand  Him  ? 

Francis.  Lo,  I  am  bound,  bound  to  my  apostolate 
and  laggard  time  holds  me  from  the  fulfilment 
thereof. 

Clare.  Ugolino  the  Cardinal  came,  desiring 
thee.  .  .  . 

Francis.  That  the  Franciscans  renounce  Poverty  ! 
He  apprehends  the  Church  as  he  would  a  kingdom. 
Howbeit  he  is  my  brother  and  I  his  likewise. 

Clare.  His  was  the  likeness  of  an  adversary. 

Francis.  Nay,  my  sister,  his  zeal  hath  true 
warranty,  albeit  he  confounds  Jesus  with  Jehovah. 
Long  years,  peradventure  for  all  time,  before  the  eyes 
of  the  world,  the  faithful  of  Jesus  will  encounter  the 
faithful  of  Moses.  Therefore  I  would  fashion  proven 
Christians.     Alas,  too  soon,  I  shall  depart. 

Clare.  0  dolorous  reflection ! 

Francis.  Lo,  our  sister    Death   looms    forth  and 


act  iv       ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI  99 

drifts  upon  me.  Nay,  be  not  affrighted ;  before  us 
streams  eternity  and  smiles. 

Clare.  Upon  the  threshold  of  Paradise,  thou 
takest  thy  leave  of  me  for  ever,  thy  glory  setting  us 
asunder.  Jesus  will  hold  His  arms  to  thee  and  set 
thee  by  His  side,  so  nigh  to  Him  that  scarcely  I  shall 
see  thee,  a  beggar,  mingled  in  the  throng  of  the  elect. 

Francis.  My  radiant  sister,  thou  dost  forget  thine 
own  validity.  Thou  hast  tendered  unto  God  a 
treasure  grudged  thee  by  the  world.  Silk  stuffs  for 
sackcloth  thou  hast  cast  away,  and  disdainful  of  the 
age  thou  hast  abashed  it.  Twelve  seasons  since  thy 
nuptials,  the  earth  hath  solemnized  the  rejoicing 
of  Bethlehem  and  thy  example  hath  garnered  a 
goodly  harvest.  Thou  hast  established  thy  family 
immaculate,  whose  price  flushes  the  world,  nor  are 
the  daughters  of  Clare  to  be  singled  from  the  sons  of 
Francis.  And  verily  thy  daughters  shall  be  proved 
the  more  faithful.  For  the  lesser  brethren  will  be 
masters  of  convents  and  of  vineyards,  treading  the 
paths  of  the  sons  of  Dominic  in  their  dizziness  of 
lust. 

Clare.  Thus  thy  prophecy.  I  shall  behold  thy 
counsels  violated.  I  shall  have  wept  thee  and  thy 
works,  nor  shall  I  be  joined  to  thee  world  without  end, 
everlasting. 

Francis.  I  am  unlettered  and  few  are  the  books 
that  I  have  conned.  Yet  may  I  unriddle  the  holy 
mysteries,  so  close  my  heart  has  beaten  to  God. 
Surely  I  will  cheer  thy  anxious  heart.  God  made 
man  and  made   him  perfect  and  fashioned  Clare  and 


100  ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI       act  iv 

Francis  a  single  being  indivisible.  Sin  it  was  that 
severed  Eve  from  Adam.  Sex  perishes  at  the  day- 
spring  of  eternity  and  man  and  woman  are  melted 
into  one.  Divisions  wither  and  they  are  twain  no 
more.  Clare  and  Francis  are  two  chrysalids,  from 
which  will  emanate  a  single  butterfly. 

Clare.     Exalted  faith  !     0  ravishment  of  thought ! 

Francis.  An  angel  will  gush  from  the  little 
brother  and  the  Lady  of  Poverty. 

Clare.  From  our  hearts  crumbled  to  dust,  our 
one  heart  is  destined  to  be  born. 

Francis.  Our  lineaments  melted  into  a  single 
countenance. 

Clare.     I  shall  see  by  thine  eyes. 

Francis.     And  by  thy  voice  shall  I  sing. 

Clare.     And  there  shall  be  peace. 

Francis.     Nay,  ecstasy. 

Clare.     0  holy  mystery. 

Francis.     Rapturous  hereafter. 

[He  enters  into  a  trance. 

[Clare,  held  by  a  sudden  awe,  suddenly  goes 
out.     Night  falls.     Francis  alone. 

Francis.  O  Love,  wherefore  hast  Thou  chafed  my 
spirit  %  My  heart  leapeth  in  my  bosom !  It 
flameth  with  a  very  great  fervour,  even  as  wax 
in  the  furnace;  yea,  it  dieth  at  the  heating 
thereof. 
I  am  spent,  I  am  eaten  up  with  love ;  Thy  servant 
yearneth  after  more  abundance  of  love  and 
verily  there  is  no  more  to  give ;  lo,  the  measure 


act  iv       ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI  101 

of  my  love  o'erfloweth,  neither  may  the  fever  of 

mine  adoration  be  abated. 
Surely,  I  am  beside  myself,   0  Wisdom  Almighty  ;  I 

am   stripped   naked   of   myeslf   and   Thou  dost 

clothe  me  anew. 
Even  as  the  iron  is  melted  in  the  fire,  even  as  the  air 

beareth  the  livery  of  the  sun,  my  soul  is  flushed 

and  ruddy  with  love. 
The  voices  of  the  firmament  and  the  voices  of  the 

earth  cry  out  unto  me :  Love  thou  the  Love  that 

loveth  thee  ;  it  is  engendered  that  it  might  be 

given  unto  thee. 
Thou   art  born   of  love  and  not  of  flesh  ;  thou  hast 

walked   like  unto  a   man  that  is  drunken  and 

love  hath  piloted  thee  in  bondage. 
Thou  stoodest  at  the  gates  of  the  Temple ;  Thou  didst 

cry   with    a    loud  voice :  "  Come,  he    that    is 

parched  with  thirst  and  I  will  give  him  to  drink  ; 

I  will  fill  him  until  he  be  filled  !  "     And  that  all 

men  might  be  gathered  into  Thy   single  clasp, 

Thou  didst  go  up  on  the  cross ! 
At  the  foot  of  thy  gallows,  0  King  of  Glory,  behold 

Thy  servant.     That  I  might  love  Thee  unto  the 

fullness  that  Thoulovest  me;  that  I  might  suffer 

unto  the  fullness  of  Thy  sufferings  for  them  ! 
I  kiss  Thy  mangled  feet,  Thy  hands  that  are  pierced  and 

Thy  bosom  that  bleedeth  kindle  me  to  adoration  ! 
Make  me  to  taste  the  Passion's  dreadfulness  and  the 

love  of  Thy  sacrifice,  that  the  Christian  may  be 

transfigured  into  another  Christ. 
0  Love,  brand  me  with  Thy  brand ;  0  Love,  pierce 


102  ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI        act  iv 

Thou  my  hands  ;  O  Love,  pierce  Thou  my  feet ; 
0  Love,  rend  Thou  my  bosom  ;  0  Love,  make  me 
to  die  with  love. 

[Francis,  swooning,  falls  on  his  knees,  with 
his  arms  on  the  Cross.  Five  luminous 
rays  from  above  strike  his  feet,  his  hands 
and  his  side  ;  and  the  five  Stigmata  are 
visible,  bleeding. 


CURTAIN. 


ACT  V 

THE  MADONNA 

Saturday,  October  3,  1226 

[In  front  of  Our  Lady  of  the  Angels.     There  are  spears 
above  the  thickset  hedge.) 

[Elias  and  Bernard. 

Bernard.     Our  father  Francis  is  at  rest  ? 

Elias.  Alas !  he  is  at  the  extremity  of  suffering. 

Bernard.  These  two  years,  the  while  he  bears  the 
Divine  Stigmata  upon  him,  his  life  is  torment ! 
Inscrutable  visitation  !  Jesus  descended  in  the 
likeness  of  a  sacred  bird,  unfurling  the  six  wings  of 
the  Seraphim.  A  lustre  streamed  from  every  wound  ; 
a  lambent,  flaming  light  piercing,  as  a  nail,  his  feet 
and  hands !  A  spear  invisible  rent  his  side  and  the 
Christian  was  transformed  to  a  living  crucifix. 

Elias.  He  bends  his  will  to  cloak  the  heavenly 
grace !  His  flesh  twisted  in  anguish,  his  soul 
rejoices. 

Bernard.  His  soul  bleeds  likewise. 

Elias.  He  lives  anew  the  agony  of  Calvary. 

Bernard.  According  to  thy  mind,  brother  Elias, 
wherein  lay  the  chief  est  gall  ? 

103 


104  ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI         act  v 

Elias.  To  be  betrayed  and  quit  the  world,  ere  His 
word  had  been  signified  unto  it. 

Bernard.  Therein  our  master  is  like  unto  the 
heavenly  Master. 

Elias.  Who  hath  done  this  perfidy  ? 

Bernard.  Thyself  and  the  Cardinal. 

Elias.  Brother  Bernard,  I  am  the  Vicar  of  the 
Order  and  in  me  is  vested  all  authority  to  punish  thee. 

Bernard.  Ah  !  privilege  doth  readily  declare  itself. 
Of  yore,  love  was  suzerain  here.  Thou  hast  obedience, 
but  Francis  had  love. 

Elias.  Arraign  the  Judases,  an  they  betray  thy 
master ;  or,  verily  by  thy  silence,  thou  art  privy  to 
their  treason. 

Bernard.  My  master  is  at  the  gate  of  death ;  let 
him  die  in  peace.  These  furtive  notions  do  sap  his 
work  so  truly  kindled  of  Heaven  and  he  divines  it,  but 
his  trust  is  in  thy  fealty  and  in  the  integrity  of 
Ugolino. 

Elias.  Brother  Bernard,  I  mind  me  thou  wert  the 
first  to  unbuckle  thy  shoon  and  I  challenge  thee — 
prove  thy  slander. 

Bernard.  Rome  craves  no  heroes,  but  soldiers, 
sworn  henchmen  and  stout  minions,  fellows  all  in 
service,  conformable  to  one  shibboleth.  Francis, 
fervid  of  heart,  wore  a  semblance  of  heresy.  Men 
moved  him  that  his  frailty  of  body  did  undo  his  validity 
and  that  Heaven,  branding  him,  thrust  him  from  life's 
stress.  He,  the  blessed  one,  in  lowliness  of  heart, 
doubted  of  himself  and  sore  lamenting,  delivered  his 
governance  into  thy  hands. 


act  v         ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI  105 

Elias.  Therefore,  in  thine  eyes,  I  am  an  unworthy 
monk. 

Bernard.  Thou  art  no  son  to  Francis. 

Elias.  What  distinction  seest  thou  ? 

Bernard.  Unhappy !  to  whom  the  flower  and  the 
grass  are  one,  the  wheat  and  the  tares.  A  son  to 
Francis  is  a  soul,  intoxicate  with  Love ;  a  monk  is 
the  creature  of  his  rule.  The  world  will  ever  have 
its  monks,  and  never,  never  will  it  see  another 
Bernadone.  [.4  tumult.]  Men-at-arms  at  Our  Lady 
of  the  Angels  ?     Shame,  shame  upon  thee. 

Elias.  I  might  not  hold  them  off.  There  is 
rumour  of  some  hare-brained  conspiracy  and  the 
Perugians  have  sworn  to  carry  off'  the  body  of  our 
father. 

Bernard.  Ah,  the  hubbub  grows  apace ! 

Elias.  Alas,  I  am  impotent  to  hold  them  to  my 
discipline. 

Bernard.  They  fight.  [He  goes  up  the  stage. 

[The   Men   of  Assist  appear,  jostled  by  the 
Perugians. 

Man  of  Assisi.  Hold,  ye  pilferers,  you  shall  not 
enter. 

Man  of  Perugia.  Heaven  is  the  prize  of  the 
valorous  and  the  holy  man  likewise. 

Man  of  Assisi.  Never,  while  we  live,  shall  you 
filch  our  Saint ! 

Elias.  Hearken  to  me,  I  .  .  . 

Bernard.  Thou  art  the  veriest  cipher  in  their 
eyes. 


106  ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI         act  v 

Elias.  I  will  threat  them  with  the  ban  of  the 
Church. 

Bernard.  0  Francis,  such  is  he  who  wields  thy 
sceptre  ! 

Elias.  Brother  Bernard,  I  have  full  warranty  to 
punish. 

Bernard.  Stay,  ere  thou  defile  this  blessed  sack- 
cloth, until  he,  who  vested  it  with  lustre,  has  passed 
away. 

Man  of  Perugia.  At  them,  at  them !  To  the 
assault ! 

Man  of  Assisi.  Get  you  gone ;  'ware  pikes ! 

Man  of  Perugia.  The  place  is  ours  and  none  shall 
oust  us  from  it. 

Elias.  I  am  the  Grand  Prior. 

Man  of  Perugia.  Prior !  There  is  no  insufficiency 
of  such  ! 

Elias.  [To  Bernard.]     What  now? 

Bernard.  Behold ! 

[Sister    Clare    appears    on  the  threshold. 
She  remains  motionless. 

Elias.  Sister  Clare ! 

Bernard.  She  comes  and  the  event  shifts;  she 
looks  and  it  is  enough. 

Elias.  Strange  consequence ! 

Bernard.  Nay,  love  is  sovereign  and  all-powerful. 

Clare.  [From  the  threshold.']  Put  up  your  pikes, 
back  with  your  swords  to  their  scabbards.  [She  stepts 
down  I]  Are  you  pagans?  [All  doff  their  hoods.] 
Brother  Francis  lives,  I  declare  it  to  you.  But  did 
he  know   of  this  your  desecration,   past    all  belief, 


act  v        ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI  1 07 

0  ye  who  carry  warfare  even  unto  his  pillow,  he 
would  be  dead  of  very  anguish  and  ye,  each  one  of 
you,  the  murderers  of  a  Saint ! 

Man  of  Perugia.  Lady  Clare,  we  crave  your 
pardon  !  Some  delirium  has  possessed  u.s.  The  body 
of  a  Saint  and  of  a  Saint  such  as  he  !  Think  upon  it 
— surely,  no  mean  fortune  for  a  city.  Pilgrims  will 
throng  unto  his  tomb ;  it  will  see  miracles  in- 
numerable. 

Glare.  And  thou,  what  is  thy  profession  ? 

Man  of  Perugia.  An  inn-keeper,  noble  lady. 

Clare.  0  travesty !  This  seraphic  life,  these 
excelling  faculties  and  this  immaculate  pattern  of 
Jesus  Christ,  twisted  but  to  fatten  the  purses  of  inn- 
keepers and  merchants  ! 

Man  of  Perugia.  Forgive  us  in  the  name  of  the 
Blessed  One. 

Clare.  Pagans  that  you  are  !  To  such  as  you 
the  body  of  a  Saint  is  but  a  talisman.  Shall  it  be 
God's  will  that  His  chosen  shall  stand  surety  for 
vilest  pettifogging  and  churlish  traffickings  ?  Francis, 
be  he  dead  or  living,  is  with  the  company  of  his 
brethren  and  you  are  mindful  of  their  quality :  the 
meek,  the  peaceful  and  the  indigent !  Quit  yourselves 
to  be  deserving  of  his  prayers  and  benisons  by  the 
pursuing  of  his  example  and  by  the  accomplishment 
of  his  works.  To  your  gates  again,  Men  of  Perugia, 
and  you,  citizens  of  Assisi,  seek  your  hearths  anew. 
The  days  of  Francis  are  yet  unfulfilled  and  angels 
will  sentinel  him  more  jealously  than  thou.     Begone, 

1  say,  begone.  [Exit  Crowd. 


108  ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI         act  v 

Elias.  Providence  waited  upon  thy  coming,  my 
sister.     These  demoniacs  .  .  . 

Clare.  Francis  ? 

Elias.  Alas ! 

Clare.  The  physician  of  Arezzo,  who  preened 
himself  that  he  would  mend  him  ? 

Elias.  We  bide  his  coming. 

Clare.  [To  Bernard.]  Brother  Bernard,  a  sinister 
foreboding  doth  importune  my  spirit.  An  his  malady 
wax  greater,  I  conjure  thee,  admonish  me. 

Bernard.  Myself  will  come,  upon  my  faith. 

[Francis,  borne  in  upon  a  litter. 

Francis.  Lay  me  there !  Thanks,  good  brethren. 
The  bourn  of  my  childhood  stretches  to  my  vision  and 
memories,  like  unto  the  faces  of  friends  after  long 
journeying,  press  about  me.  And  my  pilgrimage 
draweth  to  its  end.  Like  as  the  yellow  leaves  are 
stripped  from  off  the  trees,  so  are  my  thoughts 
strewn  drifting,  drear  and  full  of  heaviness.  'Twould 
be  a  fair  eve  wherein  to  die ! 

Bernard.  My  father !  .  .  . 

Francis.  Thou,  thou  abidest  the  first  in  my  heart, 
and  the  while  thou  livest,  the  world  is  witness  of 
a  faithful  brother.  Ah,  sister  Clare !  blessed  be 
Jesus  that  hath  brought  thee  hither.  My  heart 
bounds  to  behold  thee,  for  thy  loveliness  is  single 
as  a  star. 

Clare.  Ah,  reverend  brother,  thou  art  racked  with 
suffering.  .  .  . 

[Bernard  leads  away  Elias  and  the  others. 


actv        ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI  109 

Clare.  Unhappy  brother  ! 

Francis.  My  torment  wrings  me  inexpressively, 
but  'tis  my  soul  that  is  disconsolate,  convulsed  with 
anguish. 

Clare.  That  Jesus  might  grant  me  to  be  weighed 
with  thy  afflictions.   .  .  . 

Francis.  Rash  prayer !  I  challenged  suffering  in 
my  distraction,  aspiring  to  feel  the  Passion  of  Jesus ; 
I  dared  to  match  myself  with  God  and  perish  'neath 
the  burden  of  my  desire. 

Clare.  Thy  tortured  body.  .  .  . 

Francis.  The  boundaries  of  bodily  pain  are  set ; 
the  pain  of  the  soul  hath  none  !  It  stretches  infinite, 
unmeasured  and  unfathomable.  Neither  the  thorns 
in  His  forehead,  nor  the  lash,  nor  the  spear,  smote 
Jesus  down,  but  His  impotence. 

Clare.  What  say'st  thou  ? 

Francis.  The  breath  of  His  thought  alone  might 
have  quelled  mankind  and  hurled  the  universe  into 
the  void.  Howbeit,  He  came  to  save  and  not  to 
chasten.  Futurity  streamed  before  Him,  from  the 
height  of  the  gallows,  vision  whereat  God  Himself 
might  blench.  The  old  corruptions,  the  old  abomina- 
tions, and  the  old  iniquities  multiplied  and  accom- 
plished in  His  Name,  torture  writ  in  the  fringe  of  the 
Gospel.  Cain  smiting  Abel  with  the  Cross !  He 
beheld  His  priests,  He  beheld  His  children,  cove- 
tous, savage,  even  as  the  children  of  Moloch,  and 
He,  the  Christ,  aghast  at  the  heinousness  of  the 
Christians,  cried  out  in  a  loud  voice  :  "  Lama,  Lama, 
Sabachthani." 


110  ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI        act  v 

Clare.  Thou  dost  wrench  my  heart !  The  mind 
of  Jesus  quailing  in  the  face  of  death,  and  thou 
saying  it ! 

Francis.  Before  the  brethren,  I  bear  my  coun- 
tenance unclouded.  Unto  thyself  alone,  my  heart  is 
single,  for  thou,  thou  art  my  very  self. 

Clare.  Oh,  that  I  might  be  strong  to  comfort  the 
well-beloved ! 

Francis.  I  will  unbosom  unto  thee,  0  cherished 
heart  of  my  heart.  By  all  men  I  am  hailed  the 
Saint.  Men  call  me  venerable,  envious  of  my  high 
report,  and  I  travail  with  desolation,  with  frenzy,  and 
with  cursing  !  Faint-hearted,  I  have  fled  the  face  of 
battle  and  my  kindred  I  have  forsaken,  my  peerless 
kindred  God  permitted  unto  me.  Now,  I  am  nought 
but  a  monk,  unfruitful.  My  work  is  undone  and 
bootless  mine  apostolate.  It  would  behove  me  make' a 
new  beginning  and  establish  a  new  Order.  Ah  !  that 
I  might  betake  me  to  the  Chapter-house ;  verily  they 
should  know  my  will.  Where  are  they  who  have 
stolen  my  brethren,  where  are  they  who  have  robbed 
me  of  my  children  ? 

Clare.  Francis,  I  will  uphold  the  Rule  j  I  swear  it. 

Francis.  Surely,  my  sons  are  fated  to  forswear 
themselves ;  for  the  lesser  brethren  shall  be  lords  of 
convents  and  churches  and  shall  renounce  our  holy 
Poverty.  It  is  time  that  I  die.  Would  that  I  had 
certitude  that  the  hour  were  at  hand,  then  would  I  be 
filled  with  rejoicing.  Jesus  hath  seen  within  my 
heart  and,  be  my  travail  here  fordone,  at  the  least  I 
shall  have  laboured  even  unto  the  eleventh  hour. 


actv         ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI  111 

Clare.  My  brother,  how  it  rives  my  soul  to  part 
from  thee  !     Shall  I  not  see  thee  hereafter  ? 

Francis.  Weep  not ;  thou  shalt  see  me,  I  declare 
it  unto  thee.  I  did  solicit  God  that  I  might  die  by 
thy  side,  and  He,  of  His  favour,  hath  granted  it. 

Clare.  [  Weeping.]  Francis,  Francis. 

[Enter  the  Doctor  and  the  Brethren.    Exit 
Clare. 

Doctor.  My  father,  I  can  assuage  thy  pain,  but 
the  remedy  is  dolorous;  I  needs  must  brand  thy 
forehead  with  a  burning  iron. 

Francis.  Brother  physician,  I  am  ready.  Only, 
first  show  me  the  iron. 

Doctor.  Wherefore  ? 

Francis.  That  I  may  speak  to  it  and  that  it  may 
be  gracious  unto  me. 

Doctor.  [Drawing  the  iron  from  the  chafing-dish,] 
Albeit  I  cannot  fathom  it,  I  bow  to  thine  intent. 

Francis.  Brother  fire,  thou  art  comely  among  the 
creatures ;  be  favourable  unto  me  ;  I  have  loved  thee 
ever  ;  temper  thine  heat,  this  day. 

Brethren.  [Going  owf.]  Oh  !  [Exit  Brethren. 

Doctor.  Art  thou  ready  ? 

Francis.  Yea.  [While  his  forehead  is  being branded. 
Praised  be  my  Lord,  for  my  brother  the  fire,  in  that 
he  lighteth  the  darkness  of  the  night.     Comely  is  he 
and  jocund  and  sturdy  and  valorous. 

Doctor.  I  marvel  at  thy  fortitude  ! 

Francis.  I  have  suffered  no  affliction.  Thou  mayest 
to  thy  task  again. 


112  ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI         act  v 

Doctor.  Alas,  it  were  of  no  avail. 

Francis.  Sayest  thou  so  ?  Good  friend,  how  long 
deemest  thou  that  I  have  yet  to  live  ? 

Doctor.  My  father,  an  it  please  God,  thy  trouble 
will  depart  from  thee. 

Francis.  Dost  thou  count  me  for  a  zany  ?  Death 
hath  no  terrors  for  me.  I  am  patient  alike  to  live  in 
suffering  or  die  into  felicity,  so  yoked  I  am  with  God. 

Doctor.  So  be  it,  my  father,  according  to  my 
judgment,  thy  distemper  hath  no  remedy!  Haply 
some  days,  haply  some  hours  will  yet  abide  to  thee. 

Francis.  [Rejoicing.]  Praised  be  my  Lord,  for  our 
Sister  Death.  No  creature  may  shun  her  unrelenting 
hand.  Woe  unto  him  that  perisheth  in  sin,  but, 
Lord,  what  gladness,  what  rapture  unto  him  that 
hath  fulfilled  Thy  holy  will. 

[Enter  Elias,  Bernard  and  the  Brethren. 

Francis.  [Repeating.]  Praised  be  my  Lord  for  our 
Sister  Death.  Fetch  me  a  mandolin.  I  would  that 
they  sing  unto  me,  for  music  will  magnify  the  en- 
chantment of  my  spirit.  0  blissful  hour,  0  beatitude 
of  thought !     Thus,  at  the  last,  I  am  about  to  die. 

Elias.  Beloved  father,  it  misgives  me  that  thus 
mirthfully  to  look  on  death  thou  wilt  but  wilder  and 
discomfort  the  elect.  The  most  righteous  tremble  at 
this  hour,  the  while  thy  spirit  burgeons  with  pagans 
of  blithe-heartedness.  How  shall  men  say  of  thee  ? — 
What  signifies  death  unto  him  who  rejoices  in  its 
presence  ? 

Francis.  Brother  Elias,  suffer  me  to  profit  by  my 


act  v         ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI  113 

lot.  It  is  the  pleasure  of  iny  Lord  Jesus  that  Death 
show  me  a  gentle  countenance.  Shall  I  spurn  the 
heavenly  grace  that  hath  in  store  for  me  the  in- 
expressive bliss  of  looking  on  His  face  ?  Go,  summon 
the  brethren.  Thou,  Bernard,  tell  my  sister  Clare, 
I  veer  even  unto  the  blessed  confines  of  my  life.  Let 
her  hasten,  albeit  that  I  tarry  for  her  coming.  Let  her 
bring  a  pall  in  the  fashion  of  a  hair-cloth,  wherein 
to  wrap  my  body,  and  wax-light  for  my  burial. 
Weep  not,  Bernard.  Of  old,  I  opened  my  arms  to  our 
Lady  of  Poverty,  but  the  kiss  of  Sister  Death  hath 

brought  me  love  in  more  abundance. 

[Exit  Bernard. 

Egidius.  Alas,  good  Father,  anon  thou  art  lost  to 
thy  children  and  they  shall  live  after  thee,  reft  of  the 
shining  of  thy  truth.  Be  mindful  of  thine  orphans, 
grant  us  thy  forgiveness,  them  that  are  with  thee  and 
them  that  are  missing,  and  lay  thy  hands  upon  them 
yet  once  more. 

Francis.  0  well-beloved  brethren,  abide  in  the 
faith  of  our  Lady  of  Poverty,  your  lover,  whom 
Jesus  Himself  hath  loved.  Be  ye  ever  without 
dwelling,  without  bread  and  without  money ;  elsewise, 
ye  may  not  fulfil  the  Gospel.  Labour,  for  I  will 
have  no  drones  for  my  brethren.  After  matins,  be 
ye  prompt  to  minister  unto  your  neighbour.  Beg 
nought,  saving  only  your  daily  bread ;  elsewise  ye 
slight  them  that  are  poor  indeed.  In  no  wise  shall 
ye  gain  proselytes  by  disputing,  but  only  by  example. 
Be  gladsome ;  it  is  the  emblem  of  the  pure  in  heart. 
All  things,    even  the    heavens    and   the  earth,   are 

H 


114  ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI         act  v 

compassed  in  a  single  word :  Love !  He  that  is  evil, 
let  him  fast  and  pray,  he  that  is  evil  hath  no  love. 
Love  is  the  very  Name  of  God.  Love,  love  and  love 
always.  Hate  nothing  in  the  world,  save  only  sin 
and  money,  and  ye  shall  die,  even  as  I,  with  carols  on 
your  lips.  Weep  not,  the  while  that  I  am  exulting. 
Ye  shall  come,  yea,  every  one  of  you,  unto  the 
place  where  I  go  before.  I  open  the  heavenly  way 
to  the  poor  brethren,  I  go  to  make  ready  your 
dwelling  in  Paradise.  Be  ye  steadfast !  Myself,  I 
go  unto  Him  that  I   have  served.     My   blessing  on 

you. 

[A    Brother     enters    and    speaks     in    a 
whisper  to  Brother  Elias. 

Elias.  My  brother,  an  envoy  of  the  Pope  desires 
to  speak  with  thee. 

Francis.  Hath  he  been  notified  that  the  throes  of 
death  were  upon  me  ? 

Elias.  He  urges  his  intelligence  in  the  name  of 
the  Holy  Father. 

Egidius.  Wilt  thou  that  I  despatch  him  hence? 

Francis.  I  did  covet  this  the  last  of  my  life's  hours, 
to  consecrate  it  to  my  children,  even  as  a  good 
father. 

Egidius.  Give  me  the  word  and  I  will  pack  off  this 
legate. 

Francis.  Nay,  I  that  leave  neither  book  nor  writ, 
I  bequeath  to  you  no  monitor  but  my  example  only. 
Be  ye  obedient,  even  as  I  obey. 

[Enter  the  Dominican. 


actv         ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI  115 

Dominican.  My  brother,  in  the  name  of  the  suzerain 
Pontiff. 

Francis.  Knovvest  thou  that  my  minutes  are 
numbered  ? 

Dominican.  I  know  it. 

Francis.  The  last  sigh  of  the  dying  is  dedicate 
unto  his  sons.  My  Lord  the  Pope  hath  no  need  of 
me. 

Dominican.  Thus  the  decree  of  His  Holiness :  Let 
the  sons  of  Francis  be  associate  with  the  sons  of 
Dominic  and  by  the  ordinance  of  Francis,  to  the 
confounding  of  the  heretics. 

Francis.  [After  a  pause.]  It  shall  never  be ! 

Dominican.  Thou  shalt  obey  ! 

Francis.  I  am  the  servant  of  Jesus ! 

Dominican.  The  servant  of  his  Vicar!  At  the 
hour  of  thy  passing,  thou  withholdest  thy  soldiers 
from  the  Church. 

Francis.  My  brethren  are  no  soldiers  and  I  forbid 
them  cope  with  error,  yea,  even  in  words. 

Dominican.  Thou  didst  hie  thee  into  the  camp  at 
Damietta  and  thou  wilt  not  that  thy  children  take  the 
Cross. 

Francis.  The  Cross  is  a  sanctuary  and  not  a 
pillory. 

Dominican.  The  Cross  is  fashioned  likewise  as  the 
sword. 

Francis.  0  blasphemy.  .  .  • 

Dominican.  Heresy.  .  .  . 

Francis.  Heresy  is  blindness;  no  man  that 
honoureth  Jesus  may  withstand  Him. 


116  ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI         act  v 

Dominican.  What  destiny  dost  thou  purpose  unto 
the  f roward  that  hath  hardened  his  heart  ? 

Feancis.  And  thyself  ? 

Dominican.  Chastening,  unto  the  atonement  and 
the  purifying  of  men. 

Francis.    It    was     ordained    the    chastening    of 
Golgotha  was  the  last  of  chastenings. 

Dominican.  Moses  .  .  . 

Francis.  Get  thee  gone  from  my  pillow,  thou 
recreant  brother!  Unto  the  eyes  of  the  dying 
muffled  from  the  earth,  it  is  given  ever  and  anon,  to 
uncurtain  futurity,  and  lo,  in  vision,  I  behold  thy 
vestments  incarnadined  with  the  redness  of  the 
funeral-pyre — and  with  the  redness  of  slaughter. 
Old  men  and  women  and  children  I  behold  them 
trail  before  me,  marshalled  in  ominous  ranks,  and  the 
innocent  cry  out  against  thee  !  Begone  !  The  noise  of 
the  wailing  goeth  up  to  heaven,  of  the  death- 
groans  and  the  blasphemies !  Surely  Hell's  gates 
yawn  before  me  ?  Nay,  it  is  thy  work  veileth  the 
blue  of  the  firmament  with  the  smoke  of  thy  pestilence 
and  maketh  the  elements  to  stench  with  the  reek  of 
the  charnel-house.  Begone,  thou  scourge !  Begone, 
thou  butcher !  Begone,  I  say !  0  thou  that  spillest 
fountains  of  tears  and  rivers  of  blood,  in  the  name 
of  the  gentle  Jesus,  in  the  name  of  the  Lamb 
immaculate. 

Dominican.      The     Devil     hath     possession      of 
him ! 

Egidius.  Thou  blasphemest ! 

[Enter  Clare  and  Bernard. 


actv        ST.  FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI  117 

Clare.  [To  the  Dominican.]  lie,  verily,  is  the 
lanib,  whereas  thou  art  but  the  dog. 

Dominican.  My  sister  .  .  . 

Clare.  Thou  dost  overcast  the  heavens  unto  him 
that  even  now  beholds  them. 

Dominican.  I  am  come  in  the  name  of  the 
Pope.  .  .  . 

Clare.  In  the  Name  of  Christ,  I  say — A  vaunt. 

[Exit  Dominican. 

Francis.  [Perceiving  Clare  motionless.]  0  Lady 
Mary,  O  Virgin  without  spot,  Mother  of  eternity, 
Mother  to  my  Saviour,  thou  comest  to  gather  my 
soul  into  thy  keeping  and  pilot  me  unto  thy  beloved 
Son  ? 

Bernard.  He  is  persuaded  that  he  beholds  the 
Madonna. 

Elias.  It  beseems  us  undeceive  him. 

Bernard.  Hold  thy  peace  ! 

Elias.  Nay,  but  .  .  . 

Bernard.  Revere  this  holy  phantasy. 

Francis.  0  miracle  of  compassion  !  0  sublimity  of 
grace.  .  .  .  The  Mother  of  Jesus  at  the  pillow  of 
Francis!  Boundless  is  Thy  loving-kindness  and 
exceedingly  Thou  dost  glorify  me ! 

[Clare  stejis  forward  and  opens  her  arms. 

O  Most  High,  almighty,  gracious  Lady,  unto  thee 
praise,  glory,  honour  and  all  veneration  !  .  .  .  0  Mary, 
they  are  meet  for  thee  alone  and  no  man  is  worthy  to 
utter  thy  name.  [He  dies  in  the  arms  of  Clare, 


118  ST.   FRANCIS  OF  ASSISI         act  v 

Clare.  [After  the  convulsion  of  death  has  laid  him 
still,  falls  on  her  knees.]  Saint  Francis! 
All.  [On  their  knees.]  Pray  for  us  ! 

[Harps ;  and  a  golden  aureole  about  the  head, 
of  the  Saint. 


CURTAIN. 


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